The Science Behind Why People Gossip
Curated from: time.com
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The broader view of gossip
All humans partake in gossip in some form. Everyone talks about other people. One study found that male participants spent 55% of conversation time and female participants 67% conversation time on socially relevant topics.
People like to think of gossip as the same as malicious rumours, but researchers define gossip as talking about people who aren't present.
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Gossip: The chatter is often harmless
Gossip gives people the ability to spread useful information to large social networks. Without engaging in these discussions, we would be unable to maintain societies.
A 2019 meta-analysis found that of the 52 minutes a day the 467 participants spent gossiping, most of it was neutral. 15% was considered negative gossip, and 9% was positive.
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Gossip plays many different roles
- It helps us get information about people from others when the network is too big to get it firsthand.
- Gossip offers teachable moments and provides examples of what's socially acceptable and what's not.
- People want to be seen positively by others and fit in socially. Gossip can help to keep people in check morally.
- Gossip can spread the reputation of someone.
- Gossip facilitate bonding and closeness.
- It can also serve as a form of entertainment.
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Active and passive gossip
Some types of gossip should be avoided, such as harmful gossip that serves no greater purpose.
There's also a physiological distinction between active and passive participation in gossip. A study showed that when subjects heard about another person's anti-social behaviour, their heart rates increased. When they actively gossiped about the person, it helped calm their body.
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