Everyone knows that we shouldn’t speak ill of others behind their backs, but why can’t we just overcome this little temptation?
We’ve all been like this, time and time again, indulging in the guilty pleasure of gossiping. Our friend carefully warned: “Don’t tell this to anyone else”, but just seconds later, our hearts are sobbing again because we realize we can’t resist the attraction. intensity of passing this information on to someone.
Gossip is the sharing of personal or private, sensitive information about someone who is not present at the time. These stories are often negative and embarrassing for the person being told.
Our craving for rumours is endless.
Gossip has some very salient features:
Our craving for rumors is endless . Whether it’s with family, friends, at work, or with celebrities, most stories always contain some form of “mermaids”.
We love hearing rumors as much as we want to spread it. In fact, one study found that people are actually attracted to rumors, even when they know it’s not true. Information that begins with weak phrases like “apparently” or “supposedly” is not enough to prevent prejudice and defamation. That’s because we judge people based on their own feelings, even knowing that those thoughts are based on unreliable evidence.
Talking is so much fun! Getting together and talking about someone can create a bond and a sense of belonging with everyone, even strangers. Two people who don’t know each other will instantly feel closer when they share something thoughtful or funny about a third person. It was seen as confirmation that they shared the same worldview. Our judgments of everything seem to come to life when matched with the curious and the free.
Getting together and talking about someone can create a bond and a sense of belonging.
It also gives us a sense of understanding about another person’s private life . Moreover, the information we have is often secret, secret, a kind of “forbidden fruit”, which is always thrilling and dramatic. It also gives us a feeling of pleasure like “standing on” the person we are talking to.
Gossip allows people to indirectly participate in a world they should not be involved in , sometimes giving the illusion of control and influence over that world. This explains why people often gossip about the rich and famous and focus on their lifestyles and personal lives. That’s why employees often gossip about their boss or superiors at work. It helps them enjoy the illusion of control over their work situation.
We also gossip to warn others about unpleasant characters or someone we consider dangerous. One study found that in one experiment, participants’ heart rates increased when they witnessed bad, unfair behavior, but then dropped significantly when they passed this information on to others. .
When we see someone behaving immoral, we become resentful. Gossip gives us the satisfaction of warning it, friends.
Gossip is often viewed as negative, malicious, and destructive. In today’s society, engaging in this act is tantamount to slandering your companions and disturbing the balance of society. However, the term originally had a different meaning, originating from the word “god-sibbs” , referring to godparents, implying a particularly close group of people.
Gossip has evolved as a tool to bring together large social groups by allowing people to exchange information about changes occurring within their groups. It allows people to catch up with the lives of relatives and friends and learn about marriage, separation, new family members, success or failure.
Gossip gives us the satisfaction of warning it, friends.
One reason why gossip is so negative today is because it is often used to speak ill of someone we don’t like . We cannot distinguish between true information and misrepresentation. It would be extremely wrong to look at others with suspicion, we should be spending our time, energy and peace of mind to make sure we are never taken advantage of.
Groups often indirectly create norms about how individuals should behave in certain situations by implying a direct consequence for breaking them. These individuals will adhere to it to avoid the embarrassing end of being the target of gossip. While this can also be good as it helps keep undisciplined people in check, it can also quickly turn toxic in the presence of those who enjoy mocking and disparaging others.
Gossip can be unsightly, distrustful, and quite “heartbreaking” to learn that someone we’ve been “talking about” is now talking badly about ourselves. The atmosphere of doubt will surround and prevent the ability to continue this “love relationship” when we no longer feel confident when sharing secrets.
In addition, it leaves the victim helpless, bitter, and lowers self-esteem.
Rumors are often in the best position to defend themselves with their own stories. This makes us suspect that those who spread rumors are not interested in finding out the truth.
Gossip can be fun, but whether it’s good or bad depends on the intentions of the person whispering in your ear !