There are several types of grapevine messages or rumors that spread informally among employees, including wish fulfillment rumors that identify hopes, bogey rumors that exaggerate fears, and wedge driver rumors that aggressively split groups. Rumors also spread through spontaneous groups when stress is high or through premeditated groups in competitive environments. The longer the grapevine chain, the more distortion occurs, with the most inaccuracies in longer chains.

6. Groups by which the rumors spread Spontaneous Group When people are stressed or in an untrustworthy environment they spread wrong information Premeditated Group Premeditated rumors spread within highly competitive environments

7. Four Types of Grapevine Chains

15. To Behave like Rather than Conclusion