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| The Sewing Circle of Life
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| Social scientists are talking up the benefits of gossip, arguing that idle chatter serves society in a number of ways. Do your bit for civilization by paying attention to the grapevine.
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Gossip: it’s a social activity as old as time, uniting human beings around the world. Men do it just as much as women and some statistics claim it accounts for as much as two-thirds of all human communication. Though often derided as one of humanity’s most shameful modes of interaction, some anthropologists and researchers have uncovered gossip’s good side.
Believe it or not discussing a co-worker’s poor work habits or a family member’s unpleasant attitude doesn’t
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just provide a much-needed outlet for pent-up frustration—it’s one way we establish acceptable modes of behavior as a group and create enduring bonds.
“Gossip can serve socially-redeeming purposes. Certainly gossip can and is used to ill effect in various environments. [But] our research indicates that there can be informal evaluative talk about others in an organization that serves socially beneficial functions. Those purposes can include, most simply, the communication of norms. For example, we find that people can use gossip to identify proper behavior as well as actions that violate relevant norms,” offers Dr. Kevin Kniffin an anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin.
In fact, forging a strong group dynamic at work or at home may owe a great deal to backstage bellyaching. When two co-workers engage in a mutual grievance-sharing session they aren’t just getting one over on a harsh boss—they are building a relationship. One U.S. study found that people who shared in negative talk about another person actually felt closer to one another by the end of the conversation than those who kept the talk solely on the ‘glass-is-half-full’ track.
While some see gossip as a form of negative reinforcement—creating an “our way or the highway” style conformity—many argue for a broader definition of what constitutes gossip.
“Part of the problem with discussion about gossip is that there are many definitions of the word. We are clear to use the definition—informal and evaluative talk in an organization about others in an organization. This definition includes both negative and positive talk about others in an organization… Gossip itself has a bad reputation partly because it's commonly defined only to include negative talk,” argues Dr. Kniffin.
With this definition in mind, gossip can fall into two categories—self-serving and group-serving—in plain terms, talk that benefits the group and talk that benefits the interests of the individual only.
Dr. Kniffin’s research illuminates the distinction. After observing the social interactions between a university rowing team for 18 months, Dr. Kniffin and a colleague found that negative talk emerged in response to the presence of a weak link or “slacker” on the team. Derisive comments directed at this teammate occurred because he or she violated “group beneficial rules,” i.e., not attending practices and complaining of fatigue. After the problem teammate left the team, equilibrium was restored to the team and patterns of gossip changed accordingly.
Studies suggest that society also sees shades of gray in defining what constitutes good and bad gossip, looking favorably on conversations that positively affect the group and frowning on those that do nothing more than spread ill will.
Chat Rumination:
What 15 minutes around the lunch table or water cooler means to society:
Because gossip is often a covert activity, an element of trust is involved. Many a bosom friendship has begun this way.
It’s the unofficial welcome at any new job. After you’ve set up your email account and created your phone message, one or two employees appear to give you the lowdown on your new environment, implicitly providing you with a roadmap for establishing yourself within the group.
In its ideal function, gossip derides behavior that violates group rules and implicitly shores up established norms. Like the slacker on the university rowing team you have the choice whether or not you care to be a part of that group.
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