Volume 29, Issue 4 e2180
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The impact of gossip valence on children's attitudes towards gossipers

Adrianna Ruggiero

Adrianna Ruggiero

Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Emily Parolin

Emily Parolin

Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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Lili Ma

Corresponding Author

Lili Ma

Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Correspondence

Lili Ma, Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada.

Email: lilima@psych.ryerson.ca

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First published: 06 April 2020
Citations: 3

Abstract

This research explored children's attitudes towards gossipers in relation to gossip valence. Four- to 8-year-old children (N = 214) read three storybooks containing positive, neutral, or negative gossip statements. Following each book, children were interviewed on whom they viewed as nicer and more honest (ascription of desirable traits), whom they preferred to interact with (social preference), and whom they thought had more friends (perceived popularity), by choosing between a gossiper and a non-gossiping character. The results indicated that overall, children held more favourable attitudes towards gossipers who made positive than negative or neutral statements about a target. This effect of gossip valence was more pronounced for 6- to 8-year-olds than for the younger children on the ascription of desirable traits. The findings will add to our understanding of how gossip serves as a source of social influence on children, and may have real-world implications with regard to children's peer interactions in school context.

Highlights

  • This research explored children's attitudes toward gossipers in relation to gossip valence.
  • Four- to 8-year-olds held more favorable attitudes toward gossipers who made positive than negative or neutral statements about a target.
  • The findings may have real-world implications with regard to children's social perception and peer interactions in school context.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors certify that there is no conflict of financial or non-financial interest with any organization or entity in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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