Why do people like to start rumors that aren’t even true?
According to Dr. Ralph Rosnow, “rumors is a kind of hypothesis, a speculation that helps people make sense of a chaotic reality or gives them a small sense of control in a threatening world” (Goleman 487).
According to Snopes.com, in February of 2017 the English-language web sites caught wind of a “suicide game” that has reportedly resulted in more than a hundred deaths in Russia. The overall statement of the game, which goes by several names but is commonly known as the “blue whale” game. The rumor is unproven till this day. In this game players have to sign up to be able to play the game and agrees to follow the instructions over the course of fifty days. A supervisor assigns a series of task that the player must accomplish. On the 50th day the winner will complete the task of committing suicide. “The reasons teenagers commit suicides are well researched. According to data from the General Prosecutor’s Office, in Russia 62% of suicides among adolescents are associated with family conflicts and general distress, conflicts with teachers, classmates, friends, and also with the fear of violence by adults and callousness of others” (Meduza).
A psychologist by the name of Robert H. Knapp came up with a way to classify and identify rumors. This rumor fits with one of his classifications; it is called wedge-driving aggression rumor. This rumor is “aggression or hatred” (Knapp, 497). For someone who is more “distressed by something are more likely to transmit rumors on the topic” (Goleman, 489). Sometimes when people are terrified by a rumor, it is possible they will repeat it according to Mr. Kimmel (Goleman, 489).
This rumor fits the qualifications of a good rumor. According to Knapp, a well-off rumor is labeled as “simple, short and salient” (Knapp, 497). “Groups find it necessary and even desirable to create and spread rumors.” (Difonzo, 511). People think it makes them look better or make them more famous they will keep spreading rumors until they are happy enough.
Works Cited:
http://www.snopes.com/blue-whale-game-suicides-russia/
If this is true, then their truly aren't any winners in this game. Sad.
ReplyDeleteThis is just sad. If this was true people find pleasure into destroying other people..
ReplyDeleteWhen rumors are spread, they have two target goals: to improve or to diminish. The wedge driving rumor tend to diminish relationship and cause severe problems.
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy to think people will participate in things like this and actually follow through till the end. So so terrible.
ReplyDeleteOh no. It is sad to know something like this may exist. This is a rumor i would not spread unless it was to get the participants some help
ReplyDeleteThis rumor is bogus, if there hasn't been evidence of it, I find it hard to believe.
ReplyDeleteRumors like this just give people ideas on how to end their life, if they were already thinking about it. Technology has vine so far that a rumor from another country can spread so fast.
ReplyDelete