Period 9/10 Blog 20

Understanding the Impact of Rumors and Gossip

A closer look at why people gossip and what the consequences can be

Why do people spread rumors or gossip?

There are a variety of reasons why people will spread rumors or engage in gossip. But most people gossip or spread rumors to fit in with their friends, as a way to feel special, or to impress others. Here’s a closer look at the reasons why people gossip.

1.) To feel better. When people feel bad about themselves, they sometimes will target other people to try to make themselves feel better. As a result, they talk about others as a way to deflect attention from themselves. 

2.) To feel accepted. If everyone else in their circle of friends is gossiping or spreading rumors, some feel like they have to do the same thing in order to be accepted.

Many times peer pressure will play a factor in spreading rumors or gossiping.

3.) To get attention. When someone knows a secret that nobody else knows, or they are the first person in the group to hear a rumor, it makes them the center of attention. As a result, people that are trying to fit in or climb the social ladder might use gossip and rumors as a tool to gain popularity.

4.) To gain power. Some people want to be in control and at the top of the social ladder. When they are at the top of the social ladder or are determined to climb higher, they sometimes accomplish that by diminishing the status of another person.

Spreading rumors or gossiping is one of the primary ways people jockey for social status.

5.) To get revenge. When someone is envious of another person’s looks, popularity or money, they might use gossip and rumors to hurt that person. They also tend to use gossip and rumors to get back at someone who they feel deserves to be hurt. Making up a rumor or spreading gossip sometimes satisfies their need for revenge.

6.) To relieve boredom. Research indicates that boredom is often the number one reason why people spread rumors. People are bored with their lives because there is no drama. As a result, they resort to rumors and gossip to spice things up and make life more exciting.

For those who are impacted, gossip can be downright painful and almost impossible to ignore – especially if social media is being used to spread it.

Consequently, people who are being gossiped about are negatively impacted. For instance, gossip and rumors can destroy a person’s self-confidence and affect their self-esteem. It also can lead to depression, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, anxiety and a host of other issues. What’s more gossip and rumors can alienate friends, ruin reputations and even lead to ostracizing behavior and other forms of relational aggression.

The key is to addressing gossip as the victim is to find a way to address the gossiping and rumor spreading that is comfortable for each person.  One option for victims of gossip is to stop dwelling on what other people are saying or go directly to the source and confront the issue.

-According to the reasons listed in this article, what are some of the reasons that people gossip? Which of these reasons do you think applies to the people of Maycomb who are gossiping about Boo Radley?

-Take a look at the effects that gossip can have on a person and apply that to Boo Radley. How might he feel knowing that people think he eats raw cats and squirrels and peeks in people’s windows at night?

-Make a prediction for when we eventually meet Boo Radley. What do you think he will be like?