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Short Term Effects of Gossip Behavior on Self-Esteem

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Abstract

Gossip is a frequent social activity, yet there is little research on the experience of providing gossip and how it impacts upon well-being of the gossiper. The present research aimed to investigate the effect of gossip behavior on the self-esteem of the gossiper. In Study 1, 140 participants were asked to write either a positive or negative description of a target person. Self-esteem was significantly reduced after providing a negative description but there was no effect of providing a positive one. In Study 2, 112 participants were asked to share information about someone they knew. Self-esteem decreased significantly regardless of the valence of the information. This research suggests that the act of gossiping is one which leads to self‐criticism regardless of valence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK

    Jennifer M. Cole & Hannah Scrivener

  2. Psychology, Sport and Exercise, Staffordshire University, The Science Centre, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF, UK

    Jennifer M. Cole

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  1. Jennifer M. Cole
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  2. Hannah Scrivener
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Correspondence to Jennifer M. Cole.

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Cole, J.M., Scrivener, H. Short Term Effects of Gossip Behavior on Self-Esteem. Curr Psychol 32, 252–260 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9176-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-013-9176-3

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