"A key ingredient in the formation of a rumor is ambiguity. Even with the arrest of the suspected shooter, there is still much that remains unclear. Rumors are incubated in an atmosphere where there is a dearth of information, which creates fertile ground for speculation. This uncertainty leads to feelings of uneasiness and a desire to fill in the gaps of knowledge with hearsay, guesses, and conspiracy theories, which quickly give rise to an array of false stories."
"Another factor in rumor formation is the element of plausibility; otherwise, they would be dismissed as lacking credibility and would not be passed on. The presence of emotional arousal is another element that can accelerate the spread of rumors, as is the perceived importance of the event. The assassination of a prominent political figure is not a typical news story; it is a major event and an inflection point in American history."
Rumors are unverified stories that develop organically and commonly appear after shocking events such as the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which triggered a deluge of online rumors. Ambiguity and a dearth of information incubate rumors by creating fertile ground for speculation. People fill informational gaps with hearsay, guesses, and conspiracy theories to resolve anxiety. Plausibility and emotional arousal increase the likelihood that rumors will be passed on. The perceived importance of an event raises urgency to understand it, leading people to construct narratives that help make sense of chaotic situations. Social media increasingly amplifies and accelerates these processes.
Read at Psychology Today
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