Why do people automatically assume that those who badmouth others have credibility?

It seems that whenever someone starts a vicious rumor about another, people will automatically take that person's word as gospel without actually trying to get the maligned person's side of the story. Why is this? Why do people automatically assume that vicious rumors are true? Is it because people like to assume the worst about others?|||Yes, I think you've answered your own question. When people do not feel good about themselves, they tend to want to believe the worst about other people. If you know someone who is self confident you will see that they do not harbours those same feelings These self confident people judge people on their own merits.|||I fell in love and admiration with such a person who likes to start rumors. The first time I was a victim of her lying, I realized she might have issues. When someone else I knew became a victim, I knew for sure and was always watchful and worried around her. Things will never be the same. I wondered for a long time why do people believe her, thinking they just wanted to assume the worst about people who are easier to assume it about. Then over time, those people she lied to got to see what she does, and it became clear that A. eventually liars are found out and B. people believe a more credible witness. For example, if the person telling the lie is a middle or upper class person, older, charming, seems to have their head on straight, they can say whatever they want without proof if they speak of someone who is not the same as they. They are able to label someone guilty till the liar is proved guilty. It's so sad.|||"They" do? Are you sure about that? Remember YOUR credibility depends on your answer.|||yes, you answered your own question.





but remember, your answer is true only as a generality, not as an absolute. there are people who actually become weary of people who create and/or perpetuate salacious gossip/ rumors. there are people who will not participate in malicious behavior.|||It is because people will often believe what they want to believe. Sometimes all it takes is for one or just a few people to repeat it, and others will then believe it simply because they want to. Just look at all the lies told on President Bush. Many people already dislike him and are eager to believe more stories about him that reflect him in a negative light. The actual truth to these stories matters very little, so long as they are able to feed their desire to speak a certain way about someone they dislike.|||humannature? idk. it's stupid|||Unfortunately, yes. People LOVE getting the "dirt" on people (or THINKING they are..)...look what "ordinary" folks do to celebrities...it's the same thing...


Plus...misery LOVES company!|||as pathetic as it is, you are absolutely correct. people are often either too easily misdirected or mislead on rumors. that is a huge problem with society, which (I hate to being politics into this but..) is a big problem with our voting system. generally speaking, the person who can make their opponent look worse will inevetiably win ... and they get to be the ones to mess up our country!!|||I don't know either but I hate to be around people who are always talking about other nice people. They don't even get to know the person and yet they will spread rumors that are not true. I am often the person they are talking about. I don't know what they are saying. But I am sure it is bad stuff. The way they look at me. Why?