The Truth About Rumors

In the article “Truth Is In The Ear Of The Beholder”, Los Angeles Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez argues that rumors thrive in the mind of those who are predisposed to believe them. A founding director of Arizona State University’s center for Social Cohesion, Rodriguez writes about civic engagement and political and cultural trends.

In his article Rodriguez discusses rumors, and how they survive. According to Rodriguez, rumors can only succeed in the minds of those who have possibility of believing anything that is said to them. One might think that lack of education is the reason that people believe rumors against facts and evidence, but a 1994 survey on conspiracy theories found that education level was not a factor in whether a person believes in a rumor or not.

Studies show that the brain processes information in a way that fits one’s beliefs, wants and needs. This process is called “biased assimilation”. Needs and wants tend to be on people’s minds more than the information they have in front of their eyes. Sometimes people want to believe the story that is easier to comprehend and not to try to imagine its truth is harder. When people process information they go back to their personal preexisting thoughts on the information on hand. They should really look at both sides of the rumor or information provided and judge them based on the facts that are presented to them.

Rodriguez uses an example about conservatives and liberals when in 2004 a group of people were presented with an article that contains false information stating that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction. Then the same group was presented with an article stating that the Bush administration was wrong to think Iraq had such weapons. When the group was asked about their opinion, the liberals agreed with the second article that contains the true information while the conservatives still believed the first article that contains the false information. Rodriguez also uses the Barack Obama’s...