What are the psychological patterns of the spread of rumors?

There are quite certain psychological patterns of the spread of rumors. So, sometimes the storytelling process itself serves to confirm the identity of the narrator. Therefore, when telling, a person usually unconsciously seeks to create an impression among listeners that he has sources of information inaccessible to others. He associates himself with important people and grows in his own eyes. Surprise, fear, admiration, which the narrator can read on the faces of the audience, serve him an additional reward and incentive. The message that the information comes from a reliable source gives the hearing an appearance of credibility, and a link to the fact that its content is shared by the majority makes people believe it as a fact.