{"id":34817,"date":"2017-05-23T13:29:56","date_gmt":"2017-05-23T20:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=34817"},"modified":"2017-05-23T13:34:27","modified_gmt":"2017-05-23T20:34:27","slug":"gossip","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/gossip\/","title":{"rendered":"Gossip"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TwoGossip<\/strong> refers to the sharing of another individual’s\u00a0personal information, typically without that other person\u2019s presence or knowledge. While gossip is generally\u00a0considered an aspect of typical human communication<\/a>, especially for teenagers<\/a>, the practices of gossiping and spreading rumors about others both have the potential to be highly damaging.<\/p>\n

What Is Gossip?<\/h2>\n

While gossip and rumors are similar, there is some distinction between\u00a0the two. A rumor is a piece of unverified information, on nearly any topic, that is being shared with another person. Gossip is some manner of salacious information, often about a person’s relationships<\/a>, love life, sexual behavior, or other personal issues they may not feel comfortable sharing, that often leads the target to feel shame<\/a>, embarrassment, or pain. Gossip can occur in the workplace<\/a>, in schools, and among friends.<\/p>\n

As the popularity and widespread use of social media increases, so has the ease and speed with which negative information about people can be disseminated. A rumor can spread within seconds if it is posted on a social media site such as Facebook or Twitter. Though social media posts might be later taken down, it can be extremely difficult to soften the far-reaching impact of any hurtful messages, and the individual being discussed may feel humiliated<\/a> or otherwise suffer.

\n\t

Find a Therapist<\/a><\/h2>\n\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\tAdvanced Search<\/a>\n\t<\/form>\n<\/div><\/p>\n

Why Do People Gossip?<\/h2>\n

People might gossip for a variety of reasons. Sharing negative information about others can be a method some individuals use to feel better about themselves. This may be especially true for adolescents<\/a>, who may, as part of the struggle to develop their own identity<\/a>,\u00a0experience self-esteem<\/a> issues. Sometimes gossiping can also be a way to get attention\u2014knowing something no one else knows about another person can make a person feel important. In some cases, people may engage in gossip in order to feel accepted. If other people in a\u00a0social group are spreading gossip, it may feel necessary to participate in order to fit in.<\/p>\n

Gossip can also be a form of relational aggression, if the purpose of gossiping is to get revenge or to increase one\u2019s own social standing. Whether an individual feels wronged by another person or is envious of them in some way, they might choose to gossip about that individual or spread a rumor with the intention of hurting or “getting back at” that other person. Gossip can also serve the function of helping a person climb the social ladder, when that person shares information that diminishes the social standing of others.<\/p>\n

The Harmful Impact of Gossip<\/h2>\n

Those who are the target of gossip\u00a0generally find the experience to be very painful. Being the focus of gossip is not only likely to be humiliating in the moment, it can also have a long-term negative impact on a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. This impact might, in some cases, contribute to the development of depression<\/a>, anxiety, suicidal thoughts<\/a>, and eating disorders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Being the focus of gossip is not only likely to be humiliating in the moment, it can also have a long-term negative impact on a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. This impact might, in some cases, contribute to the development of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and eating disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gossip can also negatively impact a person’s performance at school or work. When people know they are the subject of gossip, they may have difficulty focusing on important tasks\u00a0and may even avoid going to school or work because they feel embarrassed<\/a>, hurt, or anxious<\/a>. Their reputation may be tarnished by the gossip being shared. Gossip can also negatively impact relationships, as it can make a person feel\u00a0ostracized and alone. Further, conflict is possible\u00a0when one person learns others are gossiping about them.<\/p>\n

Gossip can also be harmful for those who participate in it but are not necessarily the target. People who consistently spread negative information about others may damage their own reputation by signaling they are not trustworthy<\/a>, and they might become the next target of any rumors or gossip. Gossiping can also make an individual appear judgmental and insecure. Furthermore, gossiping is not actually helpful. If an individual has a conflict with another person, it is much more effective to address it assertively rather than address it by spreading hurtful rumors about the other person.<\/p>\n

While gossip is most often\u00a0damaging, it has actually been found to have some positive effects, in certain cases. One study found that employees who heard gossip about a colleague doing poorly on a performance review felt more confident about their own work. This speaks to the idea that competition often exists among peers. When an individual believes they are doing better than their peers, they feel good about their own performance. Alternatively, a person who hears glowing remarks about a colleague\u00a0may be more likely to feel as if their own success is being threatened.<\/p>\n

Coping with Gossip<\/h2>\n

It can be difficult, especially for teens who may be more likely to feel pressure to fit in and be liked, to handle being the subject of gossip. Those affected may find the following strategies to be helpful in stopping gossip:<\/p>\n