Study on the influencing factors of rumor sharing behavior: the regulating effect of critical thinking

Since the outbreak of the global public health crisis, research on the factors influencing the spread of rumors related to this disease has become increasingly complex. This study conducts an empirical analysis based on the SOR (Stimulus-Organism-Response) model, aiming to explore the effects of online and offline information searching on the fear of COVID-19. It also examines how this fear affects the rumor-sharing behavior of college students, comparing the role of critical thinking in moderating these factors.The study uses a sample of 720 college students through a questionnaire survey. The results indicate that both online and offline information searches promote fear of COVID-19 among college students. This heightened fear, in turn, positively influences their tendency to share rumors. Critical thinking enhances the positive effect of online information searching on fear and the impact of fear on rumor-sharing behavior. This research advances the integration of rumor-sharing behavior with the SOR model through an analysis of critical thinking. It provides practical insights into the psychological characteristics of college students and the government's efforts in rumor control.