Which term is defined as the informal transmission of unverified information that spreads through a group?

• A. Propaganda
• B. Gossip
• C. Public opinion
• D. Rumor

Answer: (D)

Rumor is the informal spread of unverified information through a group. It starts in casual conversations when people hear something and pass it along without checking facts, often growing more sensational as it moves from person to person. Because there’s no verified source, details can change and misperceptions can spread quickly. Propaganda is a deliberate, organized effort to influence beliefs with specific messaging; public opinion refers to the overall attitudes of a population, not the process of spreading unverified info; gossip centers on sharing personal or private details about individuals, which may be true or false but focuses on people rather than broader rumors about events or situations.