Gossiping makes us human and it’s good for us, says Oxford professor

Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others. But according to a professor of evolutionary psychology, gossiping is normal and is what separates us from the animals…

Robin Dunbar, professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford University says, ‘Gossiping is just chatting with people and keeping up to date with the social world in which you live. So gossip is what makes us human.’

‘Your social network has a huge effect on happiness and wellbeing’.

You know that thing when your work confidant fills you in on a sordid office rumour and your eyes widen with excitement? That.

Dr Jennifer Cole, a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Manchester University, added that gossiping is what allows us to connect. Social connection is so important. So that’s why gossip matters.

“We know we are violating someone else’s privacy and it breaks social rules about politeness. But if people don’t gossip at all we don’t like them, we’re suspicious. What we prefer is people gossip a little bit”. lol