Lecture Outline for February 8, 2000
Rumors & Gossip


I. Rumors

• A. Types
  
  
  1. Pipe Dreams
  2. Bogies
  3. Wedge Drivers
  
  
• B. Predictors of rumors
  
  
  1. anxiety and fear
  2. ambiguity
  3. information importance
  
  
• C. Characteristics
  
  
  1. speed
  2. group size
  3. accuracy
  4. self-confirming
  
  

II. Gossip

• A. Why gossip?
  
  
  1. fun and interesting
  2. status
  3. hurt
  4. propaganda
  5. record keeping
  6. control
  
  
• B. Characteristics
  
  
  1. negative
  2. involving/interesting
  3. measure of integration
  4. short-lived
  
  
• C. Coping with gossip
  
  
  1. ignore
  2. deny
  3. go to source
  4. use support groups
  
  

 Back