Claim: Gossiping is good for you

Question

Is gossiping actually good for you?

Answer 1

BBC News affirms that, yes, gossiping is a good social practice. While controversial, Elena Martinescu, a research associate at Vrije Universitetit Amsterdam featured in the article, says the practice helps "warn people about dangerous others, and it also helps build social bonds between people who gossip." 

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210818-why-gossiping-at-work-is-good-for-you

Answer 2

This claim is true, according to a study conducted in the UK, gossiping can help people connect, solve problems, and reduce stress and anxiety.

https://www.hartsfield.co.uk/3-intriguing-reasons-why-gossiping-is-good-for-you/

Answer 3

While it does have negative effects gossiping also has positive impacts. Scientific America states that “ it brings the two of you closer creating a social bond.” The act of gossiping can also create trust between two people. They also state “targets of positive gossip experienced positive emotions such as pride…” showing us that gossip does have its positive effects.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-surprising-benefits-of-gossip/

Answer 4

The claim "is gossiping actually good for you," comes out to be a true statement. the sources that I stumbled upon both have the same Idea; were people gossiping tend to grow a closer connection to whoever they are talking to. Though it is important to understand that despite growing a sense of community, there's different factors such as how negative, positive, and helpful that can determine the healthiness of gossip. The article "The Science Behind Why People Gossip- And When It Can Be a Good Thing" written by Sophia Gottfried, brings up many studies that explain how Gossiping can actually calm the body. She references a study made by Matthew Feinberg who is an assistant professor of organizational behavior at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management; where the study consisted of telling people "Another person's anti-social behavior or an injustice," causing "their heart rates to be increased." Feinberg then proceeded to state that "when they were able to actively gossip about the person... it soothed them and brought their heartrate down." In another one of Feinberg's studies, there was a group of participants who during a game they were playing, were able to kick out people who gossiped negatively, showing that people who gossip in a negative aspect are not enjoyed being around, but rather people would rather be around a different type of gossip that's more informative. Gottfried beings up to studies conducted by Stacy Torres who is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of California, says that "there's and intimacy" to sharing your experiences and when it comes to feeling like you're on the same page as another person. Her research has found that "Gossip can stave off loneliness" and "can facilitate bonding and closeness and source as a form of entertainment."

The article "The Surprise Benefits of Gossip" written by Francine Russo, goes into a deep dive of various different studies that supports the article written by Sophia Gottfried; supporting each other's claim that people spend on average 57 minutes on gossip. Russo does stress that "gossip is a double-edged sword for each member of this equilateral Triangle." Russo Talks about how different people gossip in order to feel more comfortable and again, release themselves of burden. Russo brings up a study done by Psychologist Elena Martinescu that states how negative gossip could be beneficial by "inspiring efforts to repair problematic behavior"

Both of these articles provide good evidence when it comes to gossip; yet it ultimately boils down to be the context and how often one gossips. The two articles both seem to state that people tend to dislike those who gossip harshly about a person than when it comes to gossiping to relieve themselves of stress. Both articles also mention how people gossip to bring themselves together, not just to push each other away. Though it could be controversial to constantly boast negatively about a person, there are many different times that when used in a different context, can bring people together and also show folk who to not be around.

Source: Why Do People Gossip? Here's What Science Says | TIME

Source: The Surprising Benefits of Gossip | Scientific American

Answer 5

Gossiping has different forms, so although it's not all negative it's not all positive either. Positive gossip according to Outside, is sharing information that creates a sense of camaraderie as you bond over topics that are sensitive or captivating (Maharaj). Neutral gossip, again according to Outside, is simply sharing information without any analysis of it. An example the source provides is "someone watched a lot of movies to stay current." It's not good or bad, it's just talk. Finally, negative gossip. This is the gossip that we all know and love to talk but hate to recieve. Negative gossip affects relationships and can negatively reflect you, and is usually done out of a temporary anger for someone. In the end, gossip can be both good and bad in he context that it's submerged in. Talking bad about someone in the form of gossip is negative, but gossip about what movies someone watched or about the next task you overbearing boss assigned, gossip that has no bad intentions is healthy. Even NBC covered psychologists that believe gossiping can be positive and consider it a social skill. 

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/what-is-gossip/

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/psychologists-say-gossiping-social-skill-here-s-how-know-if-ncna1056941

Answer 6

Gossiping can have varying extremes, from there being detrimental gossip surrounding someone's reputation to word being spread around of someone's achievements. An article from BBC has claims of how gossiping within our work spaces can be beneficial. They share the perspective of Elena Martineseu, a research associate at Vrije Universitetit Amsterdam who claims "humans have developed gossip in order to facilitate co-operation in a group". The article dives into the process of gossip being "self-reflective, while being the subject of gossip can cause people to change their behavior". Going in depth with these statements it talks about gossip in an angle of how it can be beneficial for aiding in our social development, especially going into the aspective of self-reflection when one is poorly talked about others surrounding their peers. Many people shy away from gossip as it can go down a path of negativity quite quickly, however, if done with good intention it can be beneficial to those taking in the aspects of self reflection to transform to being changed for better. However, I don't find that from this process that there is a definitive good and bad line, much of the benefits fall within a gray space. 

Going onto a study done by Dartmouth College in 2021 their study proved to find that gossiping can aid in bond-forming, creating a solution from problems discussed, and be an aspect in reducing anxiety and stress. While those can be positive outcomes that can result from gossip there are negative repercussions that aren't taking into the picture when grasping the grand concept of gossip. 

So overall there isn't a black and white response from this. There's many layers to gossiping contextually and from perspective of who is giving and receiving. 

https://www.hartsfield.co.uk/3-intriguing-reasons-why-gossiping-is-good-for-you/

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210818-why-gossiping-at-work-is-good-for-you

Answer 7

While gossiping is often viewed negatively, it can provide several psychological and social benefits. Through engaging in gossip we strengthen social bonds by creating trust and connection with others. It is also a tool for social learning as individuals learn information about social norms and the behaviors that others engage in, which can impact their own decisions and actions. Gossip can also be a way to express emotions and relieve stress. Research suggests that gossiping can release oxytocin, which is an essential hormone for creating trust and bonds among individuals. This can explain why you may feel closer to others after sharing personal information.

It is important to note the difference between gossip that is constructive and gossip that is harmful. Disclosing someone's personal achievements can be positive gossip that strengthens social ties, but purposely spreading misinformation or seeking to damage someone's reputation can have the opposite impact and lead to further conflict and mistrust. Studies indicate that gossip plays a big role in socialization due to its ability to reinforce community standards. But if it is taken to an extreme, it can result in toxic environments. If done mindfully and with good intentions, gossip can be a natural and beneficial aspect of human interaction.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-of-the-ooze/202303/why-gossip-feels-so-good?utm_source

https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/the-surprising-benefits-of-gossip.html