Cognitive Familiarity-Driven Rumor Diffusion: A Dynamic Compartmental Model With Stratified Susceptibility

Rumor propagation significantly impacts both individual well-being and societal stability, with various factors influencing its spread. While existing research has primarily focused on the role of interpersonal familiarity in rumor diffusion, this study introduces a different perspective: an individual’s familiarity with the subject matter itself plays a crucial role in the dissemination process. To explore this, we develop a novel rumor-spreading model that explicitly accounts for subject-matter familiarity. A rigorous theoretical analysis is conducted to assess the existence and stability of equilibrium points, and we derive the system’s basic reproduction number. Through numerical simulations, we systematically investigate how key parameters affect rumor dynamics. Our results confirm that subject-matter familiarity is a significant driver of rumor spread, supporting our initial assumption. Additionally, we identify three key control variables and demonstrate that optimizing these factors enhances the effectiveness of rumor suppression. Based on these findings, we propose practical strategies for managing and mitigating rumor dissemination.