The Virulence of Dread Rumors: A Field Experiment.

Walker, Charles J.; Blaine, Bruce

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Peer reviewed

ERIC Number: EJ437820

Record Type: Journal

Publication Date: 1991

Pages: N/A

Abstractor: N/A

ISBN: N/A

ISSN: ISSN-0271-5309

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The Virulence of Dread Rumors: A Field Experiment.

Walker, Charles J.; Blaine, Bruce

Language and Communication, v11 n4 p291-97 1991

The effects of rumor contents on rumor transmission were investigated among college students, and, as predicted, a dread rumor was heard and passed by more individuals than a wish rumor. Dread rumors may arouse anxiety because they forecast unpleasant outcomes for persons of lower social power or limited control capacities. (22 references) (LB)

Descriptors: Anxiety, College Students, Communication Research, Credibility, Interpersonal Communication, Power Structure

Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research

Education Level: N/A

Audience: N/A

Language: English

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Authoring Institution: N/A

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