Testing Shibutani’s Prediction Of Information Seeking Behavior In Rumor
Date
2001
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
The paper tests a set of predictions regarding
information seeking behavior in rumors derived from models
of rumors by Shibutani and others. Data for the analysis
comes from a random sample of 1,042 households in Memphis,
Tennessee surveyed by the Disaster Research Center prior to
December 3rd 1990 in connection with the Iben Browning
prediction of an imminent massive earthquake in the New
Madrid fault zone. The results support Shibutani’s
prediction of a positive association between the use of
formal and informal sources of information; Knopf’s
prediction that rumors are part of pre-existing generalized
beliefs in a community; and McPhail’s hypothesis that the
network of relationships available to people is an
important determinant of their search for and use of
informal information. These findings indicate that
Shibutani’s model of rumors should be supplemented by
attention to the importance of cultural context and the
logistics of accessibility and micro-participation.
Unexpectedly, a large number of respondents did not use
either formal or informal sources of information about the
earthquake threat.
Description
Keywords
Shibutani's Prediction, Earthquake, Iben Browning Prediction