What is the psychology behind gossiping?
Gossip differs from the human tendency to talk about other people in that gossip focuses on negative information. Gossiping gives people a sense of power. Research demonstrates that gossip is emotionally rewarding. Most people agree: Saying negative things about others is OK, but do not say anything bad about me.
What spreads gossip?
A gossiper is someone who talks eagerly and casually about other people. If you like to spread rumors and hear the latest news about your friends, you might be a gossiper. When you gossip, you talk enthusiastically about other people’s news or business. To do this regularly is to be a gossiper.
What does it mean when a person spreads rumors?
What this means, is that the person telling the story does not know for certain if it is true or not. Most of the time, people who spread rumors do not bother to determine if there is any truth to what they are saying. Typically, rumors are spread from person to person and can change slightly each time they are told.
Is there any psychological research on Gossip?
Psychological Science Agenda. http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2005/04/gossip Popular and media interest in rumor and gossip never seems to wane, but psychological research on rumor has been cyclical and that on gossip has, until recently, been dormant (Foster, 2004).
What are the effects of gossip and rumors on a person?
For instance, gossip and rumors can destroy a person’s self-confidence and affect their self-esteem. 1 It also can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, anxiety, and a host of other issues.
How does gossip affect our brains?
People hearing gossip — good and bad — about themselves, as well as negative gossip in general, showed more activity in the prefrontal cortex of their brains, which is key to our ability to navigate complex social behaviors. This activity indicated the subjects responded to the gossip and its insight.