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.

4. Types of Grapevine Messages transmitted through the grapevine are normally referred to as "rumors." Wish Fulfillment Rumor Identifying the wishes and hopes of employees Bogey Rumor Exaggerating employees fears and concerns

5. Types of Grapevine Wedge Drivers Rumor Aggressive, unfriendly and damaging. They split groups and dissolve allegiances Home Stretchers Rumor Anticipating final decisions or announcements. They tend to fill the gap during times of ambiguity

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

8. The longer the strand the more distortion and filtering affects Most inaccuracies occur in this chain

15. To Behave like Rather than Conclusion