Origin of rumor and tone of message in rumor quelling strategies

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Past studies have shown that, while refuting rumors, certain strategies, such as the introduction of a stimulus that deflects allegation, are superior to mere refutation. In this study, the originator of a rumor and the tone of a refutational message are proposed as factors that influence the success of rumor quelling strategies. It is shown that no refutation is superior when the originator is a negative stakeholder, whereas other types of refutation are more effective when the stakeholders are neutral or positive. Further, a conciliatory tone is uniformly superior to an inflammatory tone.