why do people spread malicious gossip,?

Question

why do people spread malicious gossip i have always wondered why they do this. I had a neighbour who did gossip about me, although she is gone i wonder why they do it.

Answer 1

There is a psychological explanation that can be used. According to this psychologist called Tajfel. He created social identity theory, this is that people form in-groups and out-groups. If you are in a person’s in-group you will be looked after and treated well. If you’re in a person’s out-group they will treat you differently and badly. This is because they find it hard to identify with you. Social identity theory is a good explanation for any discrimination you encounter.

This might be why your neighbour behaved like this, they felt different to you and that you were different. This is not intentional, and she probably didn’t relies the full extent of the affect on you. Although this is no justification for behaviour like that, it just happens.

Hope it wasn’t anything too nasty

Answer 2

I think people spread gossip on the basis that if others are talking about you, then the focus is off them.

I agree that people who spread malicious gossip are generally pretty insecure and often envious of the the subject of the gossip - even if that's on an unconcious level.

It's pretty sad that they don't have anything more productive to focus their attention and energy on - but I guess that's their loss.

Hope your experience wasn't too horrible and thank goodness your nasty neighbour has gone now - she's probably doing the same thing where she lives now.

Answer 3

People have always revelled in passing information about one person to another.. there are many types of gossip, sometimes it can be as a consequence of one person breaking unwritten societal rules about do's and don'ts (such as wearing white socks with black shoes or something more serious)..

Gossip can mean the gossiper bonds with the person he or she is telling if they act positive or reciprocate with more gossip. Gossips can also face rejection where the person they tell stick up for the person in question or do not comment.

Sadly malicious gossip can be devastating for the person involved and although I can understand the societal reasons someone does it (human nature - the bad side) morally I find it abhorrent.. especially since I am far from perfect myself and have made many mistakes in my life too - revelling in someone elses misfortune just has no glee factor for me..

Sorry for what you went through - it must have been difficult at the time.

Answer 4

During man's early days gossip was a way of "controling" the clan and surviving.
It was a "survival" strategy to keep them "in line". Gossip is a "negative idea or thought" of a person which could lead to an expulsion from the clan and that would mean death as they interdepended on each other for survival. Many tribes in South America and Africa still use "gossip" in that way.
Also "gossip" was a tool for a female to use against another female and steal her man since he was the most virile male.
You avoided being the target of gossip and stayed in line with the collective values of your people.
Communial control is a big part of our evolution. Today it has become more of a nuisance as it is used as a harm strategy.

Answer 5

I know a lot of people are going to say those who spread rumours are malicious and are without lives or security.

I think that's true to a reasonable extent, but thinking deeper for a moment, I think it's a power complex. For whatever reason- maybe they're insecure, maybe they take a disliking to a particular person, maybe they want revenge or have to impress peers- they will drag someone else's name through the mud so they can be on top. It's a vindictive form of bullying that seems to go on from pre-schoolers to elderly citizens who have a grudge.

Answer 6

Because they want everyone to think that they know more than whom ever they are talking to. They take a tidbit of information and start telling it, but in order to keep someones attention, they have to embellish it. The next thing you know the fact that maybe you tripped on the way to the mailbox and twisted your ankle, has turned into a story that you were so drunk before noon, that you fell in the front yard, broke your leg and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.

I have a grown daughter who does this. She has mental disabilities though. When she starts out by using the word " apparently" I tell her to stop right there. I tell her I have enough drama in my life and don't need to hear about anyone else's.

Anyway, that is my thoughts on your question.

Answer 7

I would say this human failing boils down mostly to jealousy. It is a way to bring down someone whose life you envy, perhaps?
It is also a vicarious way of living a more interesting life when your own life seems dull and empty, hency the proliferation of so many scandal/gossip magazines.
It is a human weakness to love to gossip, and the gossip is usually malicious to be entertaining....who ever heard of goody-goody goosip?

Answer 8

Some people feel better about themselves when they gossip. It takes the focus off their boring lives and makes them think that they know everything. They don't see the damage and hurt that it actually causes.

Answer 9

It is one of the tools of evil.
It and they seek to take you "off-line" of the light or what is right.
It/they seek to destroy you as they are or were destroyed.
It is the selfish and jealous and those who have not the blessings that do these things Just like the father of all lies..Satan himself.
Beware the gossipers, the slanderers.
Pray for them in their face, touch them on their head, and bless them.

Answer 10

it's normal human psychology to spread gossip and find it interesting. in our school for example, nobody cares to read the student council bulletin but if you publish a school gossip pamphlet i'm sure everyone will avail.