Scientists reveal that gossip plays an important role in society

Scientists suggest that the act of gossip may actually play an important role in society.

Research results from the University of Maryland and Stanford University show that Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, They found that although gossip is frowned upon in social situations, it can have “social benefits”.

To reach this conclusion, they use computer simulations that mimic real human decision-making to explore how gossip has become a popular pastime across genders, ages, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds. I answered the passionate question, “Has it evolved?”

Next, we observed how the study participants interacted. These subjects could collaborate with gossip and traitors. They may also be the subject of gossip. The researchers were interested in whether participants used gossip as a tool to protect themselves or to exploit others. By the end of the experiment, 90 percent of them had become gossips themselves.

“One previous study showed that people spend an average of an hour a day talking about others, which takes a lot of time out of our daily lives. ” said Xinyue Pan, lead author of the study, in a statement. For her paper, she said in a summary of her findings. “That’s why it’s important to learn it.”

Other research has also shown that gossip can be a bonding tool. But the exact reason why gossipers get what they’re getting has never been thoroughly investigated. Researchers suggest that people gossip about others because they want to avoid being gossiped about themselves.

Other people participating in the gossip may also serve as a reward for the original gossiper, the researchers report. Because of their ability to influence the behavior of others, gossipers may have an “evolutionary advantage.”

Therefore, although gossip is often frowned upon, the researchers stress that it may have a useful function, especially since the information conveyed can be complementary. .

“When you want to know if someone is a good person to interact with, if you can get that information from gossip (assuming that information is honest),” said study co-author Dana Now. That could be very beneficial.” He is a retired Professor of Computer Science and Systems Research at UMD.

“If you’re trying to be on your best behavior because other people know you’re gossiping, they’re more likely to cooperate with you on things,” Nau continued. . “The fact that you gossip ends up benefiting you as the gossiper. It then drives others to gossip too, because it rewards you. Because you know it’s going to bring you.”

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