La naturalesa del rumor i els motius de transmissió

Abstract

Starting from the premise that the creation and spreaending of rumor is neither random nor gratuitous, this atticie attempts to show the mechanisms behind rumor. After analyzing its ambiguous nature, this paper analyses the functions of rumor, or what is essentially the same, the power of rumor and how it is born naturally. We defend the idea that rumor is spread in order to collaborate in the interpretation of uncertain situations and as an informal way to exercise social control over realities that are problematic to deal with openly. In addition, we describe the uses of rumor, that is, why rumor is artiticiatly fabricated and what purpose it serves. We argue that the principal uses made of rumor to date is that of promotion, be it of products, services, ideologies or public figures, and entertainment.