谣言可信度的影响因素及其功能

The Influencing Factors and Functions of the Credibility of Rumours

谣言是一种据称是真实但没有确切证据证明的说法。影响谣言可信度的因素通常有个体所持的态度与谣言是否一致、谣言的来源是否可信、谣言传播的次数以及针对谣言举出的反例。从个体层次来说,谣言有吸引人们注意事件、还原最初的解释、激活知识结构以解决问题、增加人们探索世界动机的功能。从群体层次来讲,谣言的功能在于对模糊情境做出有意义的解释、应对威胁等。未来的研究除进一步探讨谣言及其可信度之间的关系外,需要从不同角度探究谣言在群体性事件中的发动机制及如何平息有害的谣言。

A rumour is a kind of word that is said to be true but with no clear evidence. The factors influen- cing the credibility of a rumour usually include whether individuals＇ attitude is the same as the rumour, whether the source of the rumour is credible, how many times the rumour is spread and what the counterexample is. From the aspect of individuals, rumours＇ functions are attracting people＇ s attention to events, returning to original explana- tions, activating the knowledge structure to solve problems and promoting people to probe into the world. From the aspect of individuals, rumours＇ functions are it gives meaningful explanation and reacts to threaten. Besides discussing the relations between rumours and its credibility, the future research should probe into rumours＇ starting mechanism in group events and how to suppress harmful rumours.