Gossip may not be so bad
19 May 2006
by Richard Conan-Davies
Gossip, also seemingly a bad influence, can actually strengthen personal relations between individuals, according to social researchers. It appears that sharing negative attitudes with someone in consequence promotes positive effects and is more likely to forge a closer interaction between the two or more individuals, even between strangers. Gossip, in its appealing nature, enhances in-group/out-group boundaries, raises self-esteem, and passes on highly revealing or enlightening details about the attitude holder. The author of this study explains “We certainly do not deny that gossip behavior has it drawbacks. Still, if there is a positive side of gossip, we believe it is that shared, mild, negative attitudes toward others can create and/or amplify interpersonal intimacy.” The documented study is due to be published in the June edition of Personal Relationships. |
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