Listening culture and spreading rumors
A socio-cultural model largely based on listening and verbal exchange of information, confirmed or unconfirmed, as the main way of communication and knowledge transfer in society. In this context, listening skills and attention to the words conveyed by others play a key role in disseminating information, shaping public opinion and influencing collective behaviour, whether in everyday life, in local communities or in organisational settings. From a psychological point of view, this phenomenon states that people tend to believe information transmitted orally more quickly, especially if it is related to interesting topics or fits their preconceived expectations and beliefs. The connection between listening culture and rumors is also evident in the psychological need to reduce uncertainty, explain uncertain events, and share anxiety or curiosity with others. From a sociological point of view, this concept explains that rumors spread more effectively in societies where there is a strong emphasis on oral communication and listening, where people rely on the verbal exchange of information rather than written or formal sources. Research also shows that listening culture strengthens social bonds and group affiliation, but at the same time can contribute to the spread of inaccurate or misleading information, which affects collective decision-making and social behavior.