Did You Hear The Latest? Gossip Is Good For You - Page 2
As this cheating occurred, the observers’ heart rates increased and perhaps not surprisingly, most volunteers took the opportunity to pass on a “gossip note” to a new player to warn that the existing contender was cheating. In doing so, the heart monitor revealed that the act of passing on the note decreased the level of heart activity in the observer. In other words “gossiping” if you will, made them feel better.
In three additional tests that were part of the study, the participants were further tested on their abilities to forgo the opportunity to gossip, and in each instance, it was revealed that being able to pass on information that may be considered “gossip” superseded their desire for a monetary incentive. In other words, not even money can stop the desire to communicate some not-so-savory news.
Whether we’re “hard-wired” to want to share this type of information, or whether it’s an environmental adaptation to which we’ve succumbed remains to be seen. Either way, this latest study underscores our collective desire to embrace the salacious, despite what might be our better judgment. Thankfully, perhaps, there are some positive health outcomes that appear to be a result of this desire.
So start spreading the news. It’s the healthy thing to do.
Image courtesy of www.latestgossip.ewebsite.com
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