Why People Gossip And The Reasons Behind It

Written By:

Written By:

Why People Like To Gossip 2

Gossiping is an integral part of human culture, and itโ€™s something that every single person has indulged in at some point or the other. But the million-dollar question here is, why people gossip? Some of the reasons why people gossip can be really interesting.

Key Points

  • 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.

People like to gossip. Gossip is information shared about an absent third party. Gossip differs from the human tendency to talk about other people in that gossip tends to focus on negative information to demean the target. If the information being talked about were positive, it would be labeled praise or envy.

Gossip typically centers on the negative aspects of a personโ€™s personal appearance, personal achievements, or personal behaviors. A less benign form of gossip is when people discuss information about celebrities or other people highlighted in tabloids or social media.

Related: The Toxicity of Gossip: Why It Hurts Us More Than Anyone Else

Motivations For Gossiping

Some people gossip to seek revenge. People who do not like a person will typically seek out other people who share a mutual dislike for the same person. Subsequent conversations center on negative evaluations of that person.

The dislike for the target of the gossip is validated and justifies hurtful behavior. However, most people gossip because gossiping is enjoyable for the sense of power it gives them. Talking about other people gives an individual a sense of relief because he or she is not experiencing the same calamities.

People also like to gossip because it gives them a sense that they possess secret information about another person, which gives them a sense of power. People want to be seen as being in the know when it comes to the latest gossip about others.

If knowledge is power, gossip is turbocharged power. In order to display their power and reinforce their egos, people must share the information with other individuals.

Gossiping comes naturally and most of the time occurs almost unconsciously to break up the monotony of routine activities or simply to spice up conversations. Social media is an ideal platform for gossip.

Comments are posted anonymously about an individual. Gossip on social media tends to be more harmful because the negative information has a wide audience and remains visible for a long time.

why people like to gossip

The Effects Of Gossip On The Brain

Peng et al. (2015) examined brain imaging of men and women as they listened to positive and negative gossip about themselves and celebrities.

People who heard either positive or negative gossip about themselves showed more activity in the prefrontal cortex of their brains, which helps people navigate complex social behaviors.

This reaction also occurred when the participants heard negative gossip in general. This research demonstrates that people want to fit in socially, and they also want others to see them in a positive light.

Related: Why Do People Gossip? This One Phrase Will Put a Stop to Gossip

Peng et al. (2015) also found that the caudate nucleus, the reward center in the brain, is activated in response to negative gossip about celebrities, which demonstrates how salacious celebrity scandals pique peopleโ€™s interest.

Predictably, the study showed that people felt happier when they heard positive gossip about themselves and felt more agitated when they heard negative gossip about themselves.

Gossiping is rewarded, so people will continue to gossip as long as they do not hear anything negative about themselves. It is OK to talk negatively about others, but do not say anything bad about me.

Want to know more about why people gossip? Check this video out below!

References:

Peng, X., Li, Y., Wang, P., Mo, L., & Chen, Q. (2015). Negative gossip about celebrities and positive gossip about self entertain people in different ways. Social Neuroscience, 10, 320-336.

Written By Jack Schafer Ph.D.  
Originally Appeared On Psychology Today  
People Like To Gossip pin
Why People Like To Gossip pin

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs: Learn To Supercharge Your Life!

Power Colors For Zodiac Signs Interesting Hues

Ever felt drawn to a certain color without knowing why? Or maybe youโ€™ve noticed how certain colors boost your mood and energy. Below are 12 power colors for zodiac signs. Find a hue that aligns with your strengths and helps supercharge your life. 

Wearing the zodiac sign power colors can help you feel more centered, confident, and in sync with your true self. 

So, do you want to learn more about the colors that can enhance your energy and success? Letโ€™s explore the power colors for zodiac signs!

Up Next

10 Subtle Signs Youโ€™re Secretly Becoming Your Best Self

Signs Youโ€™re Becoming Your Best Self

We always hear about green flags in relationships, but what about green flags in yourself? The truth is, youโ€™ve probably grown more than you realize. Itโ€™s easy to focus on what still needs work, but if youโ€™ve been showing up for yourselfโ€”whether in your mindset, habits, relationships, or careerโ€”youโ€™re already on the right track.

Becoming your best self isnโ€™t about waking up one day with everything figured out. Itโ€™s about the small shifts, the quiet wins, and the moments where you choose growth over comfort. So if youโ€™ve been wondering whether youโ€™re heading in the right direction, take this as a sign: Youโ€™re doing better than you think.

Ahead, weโ€™re diving into the green flags that prove youโ€™re stepping into your happiest, most authentic selfโ€”because real growth is happening, even if you donโ€™t see it yet.

Up Next

The Script is Yours: 7 Ways To Be The Leading Lady In Your Own Life

How To Be A Leading Lady Of Your Own Life? Best Ways

Every so often, a movie line sticks with you. In The Holiday, Iris (played by Kate Winslet) has a pivotal realization: โ€œYouโ€™re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life!โ€ This hits home for women in their 20s and 30s, a time when life can feel like a balancing act of dreams, relationships, and self-doubt. 

But what if you decided to step into the spotlight of your own story? Learn how to be the leading lady in your own life and reclaim center stage!

Up Next

How To Break The Habit Of People Pleasing?

Clear Signs Of People Pleasing And How To Stop It

Do you say โ€œyesโ€ to avoid conflict, but deep down, you feel drained? Recognize people pleasing behavior as itโ€™s time to set boundaries and reclaim your peace!

First we must care for ourselves. When we do, we can better care for others.

Key points

When we people-please, it creates a relationship that is not really honest.

We cannot meet everyone else’s needs.

When we become more OK with being ourselves, people will likely be drawn to us because we are being authentic.

Up Next

The Power of Solitude: Does It Lead To Inner Growth?

The Power Of Solitude Important Points

Learn the power of solitude as it gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself. And in these quiet moments, you can truly grow. So, let’s explore more!

Connect to your soul and quiet your busy mind.

Key points

We all need solitude and silence, and we all need social connection.

Solitude helps us put things into perspective and gain clarity.

Solitude can help us to not be reactionary and instead be responsive, open, and more flexible in our thinking.

Up Next

How Do We Practice Compassionate Communication?

Practicing Compassionate Communication Great Ways

What does it take to truly connect with others? Learn to practice compassionate communication in everyday life to ease their pain.

Five principles for compassionate communication.

Key points

Compassion can be thought of as an empathetic, conscious effort to relieve the suffering of another.

Mirror neurons allow us to experience one another in our minds.

Embrace an openness to thoughts and experiences that may challenge your usual way of doing things.

Up Next

Learn To Honor Your Feelings: Your Hard Week Mattersโ€”Even If Others Have It Worse

Learn To Honor Your Feelings Great Ways To Do It

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, even if others seem to have bigger struggles. Learn how to honor your feelings – they are valid, and you deserve acknowledgment!

How to honor your feelings without comparing them to othersโ€™ challenges.

Key points

Your emotions are valid no matter their scale or how they compare to othersโ€™ challenges.

Acknowledging your emotions builds your strength to support others with authenticity and genuine care.

Comparison of struggles creates a false hierarchy that undermines the importance of your own experience.

Research shows that acknowledging th