Research On The Transmission Mechanism And Governance Of Network Rumors From The Perspective Of Interaction Ritual Chains

Since January 2020,the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the country from Wuhan,Hubei Province,and the accompanying network rumors have also become one of the "secondary disasters" that cannot be ignored.This article takes network rumors during the COVID-19 pandemic as its research object,and uses Randall Collins’ interaction ritual chain theory to analyze the interactive elements of network rumors in the COVID-19 pandemic from a micro perspective.The network rumor transmission mechanism is analyzed from the aspects of ritual composition factors and activation conditions,and governance suggestions are proposed for COVID-19 network rumors.According to the information feature analysis of network rumors during the COVID-19 pandemic,network rumor topics are synchronized with the evolution of the epidemic situation."Infection" topics are the most discussed,followed by "people’s livelihood" and "new regulations".Network rumors spread across multiple platforms and are transmitted in a circular replication style.Panic dominates the emotions,followed by desire.By introducing the interaction ritual chain theory into the transmission mechanism of network rumors,it can be found that the transmission process of network rumors constitutes the complete process of interaction rituals.Firstly,virtual co-presence is the driving force behind the spread of network rumors.The new form of communication constructed by digital media allows the interaction between the two parties in virtual space to affect each other and generate spiritual connections.Community scenarios construct collective identity,and network rumors are easily infected within the circle,enhancing the centripetal force and sense of identity of circle members in the interaction ritual.The focus of attention forms a rhythm link,and participants in virtual space jointly feel the emotional flow of each other,bringing about the linkage of the overall rhythm.Secondly,layered rituals are the catalyst for the spread of network rumors.The interaction ritual market provides a medium for symbolic transmission,promoting the sharing of symbols.The sharing ritual drives collective identity,and sharing information can gradually connect the individual and collective consciousness of participants in the ritual.The internalization of the ritual completes the identity identification,and the holder of the symbol continuously affects the interaction behavior of others during the ritual.Thirdly,emotional energy is the accelerator for the aggregation of network rumors.Some unverified information grows into network rumors in the continuous flow of emotional energy.Group interaction accelerates emotional resonance,and the mutual emotional interpretation of texts catalyzes the motivation for netizens to participate in the discussion,promoting the spread of network rumors.The accumulation of energy and continuous interactive situations enhance emotional energy,which in turn affects the emotional energy itself,accumulating in a cycle in each interaction.Therefore,the governance path of network rumors from the perspective of the interaction ritual chain can be carried out in three aspects: using emotional energy,guiding emotions,and updating expression strategies;constructing interactive situations,enhancing dialogue mechanisms,and exerting individual roles;producing group solidarity,creating opinion leaders,and guiding online public opinion.