Spreading rumors, often viewed negatively, could offer a reproductive advantage, according to a new study. Researchers found that individuals who engage in gossip are more likely to be in relationships and have children compared to those who do not.
The study, which analyzed data from nearly 1,500 adults through an online survey, assessed relational aggression—behaviors like gossiping, spreading rumors, or social exclusion aimed at harming others. Those reporting higher levels of relational aggression were found to be involved in romantic relationships more frequently. Further analysis indicated a link between higher relational aggression and a greater number of biological children.
These findings suggest that gossip and other forms of social manipulation may have historically aided humans in finding and maintaining partners, thereby increasing opportunities for procreation. Previous research indicates that covert aggression, such as gossip, can help individuals compete for mates by damaging the reputation of rivals. Unlike physical aggression, these social tactics allow for undermining competitors without the risk of direct confrontation or retaliation.
The research team from the University of Silesia posits that these subtle strategies may have provided an evolutionary advantage by facilitating mate attraction and retention. The study, published in the journal Evolutionary Psychological Science, noted that peer-directed relational aggression is positively associated with a higher probability of being in a romantic relationship and a greater number of children for both men and women.
It is possible that individuals already in relationships may increase their use of gossip or social exclusion to deter potential rivals. The study concluded that relational aggression could be subject to natural selection in contemporary human populations, serving as an alternative adaptive strategy to overt physical aggression, particularly in societies where physical aggression is strongly discouraged.
Further research has explored the benefits of gossip in other contexts. A separate study earlier this year found that gossiping about one's boss at work can act as a bonding activity for colleagues. While participants in that study sometimes experienced guilt or shame after such conversations, they also reported positive feelings and strengthened bonds with co-workers. This suggests that even when considered inappropriate, gossiping can have a pleasurable and socially connective outcome.
Additionally, research from Ariel University in Israel indicated that men and women engage in gossiping at similar rates. However, the study noted differences in the nature of their gossip: women tend to discuss colleagues supportively, while men are more likely to speak negatively about rivals. The study suggested that gossip provides women a non-physical means of competition and helps men build self-confidence. The findings challenged stereotypes, concluding that both genders participate equally in gossiping, though with distinct communication styles.