Rumor: An Examination of Some Stereotypes

Abstract

Third in Symbolic Interaction's symposium tribute to Tamotsu (Tom) Shibutani (1920–2004), this article pays homage to Shibutani's work on rumor. In his book, Improvised News, Shibutani introduced a grounded theory of rumor that was a radical break from the dominant approach of the time. This break was based on the observation that rumor is not a deviant act, but rather the routine social act of defining ambiguous but important situations. Implicit in his work is a critique of rumor stereotypes including the notion that those involved in rumoring are highly suggestible, irrational, and dangerous; that rumors are inaccurate, distorted, and exaggerated; and that rumors threaten the social order. The article concludes by challenging assumptions about the spread of rumor and that rumors are single, stand-alone statements.