Medical News Today
It's Good To Gossip - But Be Nice!
08 Sep 2010
Gossiping has some positive benefits - at least for the person doing the gossiping.
Gossipers feel more supported and positive gossip - praising somebody - may lead to a short-term boost in gossipers' self-esteem.
These are the findings of research conducted by Dr. Jennifer Cole and Hannah Scrivener from Staffordshire University, who presented their preliminary findings on the 7th September 2010, at the British Psychological Society Social Psychology Section annual conference at the University of Winchester.
To ascertain the consequences of gossiping on the gossiper 160 participants completed questionnaires relating to their tendency to gossip and measures of their self-esteem, social support and satisfaction with life.
Although not associated with self-esteem or life satisfaction, higher levels of gossiping were associated with feelings of greater social support. In a follow-up study, 140 participants were asked to talk about a fictional person positively or negatively. Those who described the fictional character positively felt greater self-esteem than those asked to talk about them negatively.
Dr. Cole said: "Gossiping is usually seen as a bad thing. Our findings suggest some forms of gossiping- particularly of the type where people praise others- could be linked with some desirable outcomes for the gossiper despite the fact that gossipers are not generally approved of."
The British Psychological Society's Social Psychology Section annual conference takes place from 7 - 9 September 2010 at the University of Winchester. The full programme can be accessed on the DHP website.
Source:
British Psychological Society
Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/200350.php
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http://dreamlearndobecome.blogspot.com This posting was made my Jim Jacobs, President & CEO of Jacobs Executive Advisors. Jim also serves as Leader of Jacobs Advisors' Insurance Practice.
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