Passage for 20 BCS Preliminary

Rumer is the most primitive way of spreading stories—by passing them on from mouth to mouth. But civilized countries in normal times have better sources of news than rumor. They have radio, television and newspaper. In times of stress and confusion, however rumor emerges and becomes rife. At such times different kinds of news are in competition: the press, television and radio versus the grape vine.

Especially do rumors spread when war requires censorship on many important matters. The customary news sources no longer give out enough information. Since the people can not learn through legitimate channels all that they anxious to learn, they pick up news whenever they can and when happens, rumor thrives.

Rumors are often repeated even by those who do not believe the tales, There is a fascination about them. The reason is that the cleverly designed rumor gives expression to something deep in the hearts of the victims – the fears, suspicions, forbidden hopes, or daydreams which they hesitate to voice directly. Pessimistic rumors about defeat and disasters show that the people who repeat them are worried and anxious. Optimistic rumors about record production or peace soon coming pain to complacency or confidence and often to overconfidence.