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This timeline explores the historical and psychological aspects of gossip, from its early definitions in the... Show More
This timeline explores the historical and psychological aspects of gossip, from its early definitions in the 16th century to modern studies on its social influence and behavior correction. Show Less
1361 - 1873
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References from 1361 to 1873 support the use of "gossip" to describe a familiar acquaintance, friend, or chum.
1500 - 1599
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In the 16th century, the word "gossip" took on the meaning of a person, often a woman, who enjoys engaging in idle talk and spreading rumors.
1566
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In Thomas Harman's Caveat for Common Cursitors, published in 1566, a "walking mort" (a female beggar) recounts how she was forced to agree to meet a man in his barn but informed his wife, spreading gossip about the encounter.
1900
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In Sir Herbert Maxwell Bart's novel "The Chevalier of the Splendid Crest," published in 1900, the king affectionately refers to his loyal knight, Sir Thomas de Roos, as "my old gossip," indicating the continued use of the term to refer to a childhood friend.
Image source: Gossip
1994
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Dunbar's 1994 study argues that gossip serves as the human equivalent of social grooming, a behavior commonly observed in other primate species.
2004
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Research by Dunbar in 2004 found that approximately 65% of conversations among individuals revolve around social topics, highlighting the significance of gossip in human interactions.
2011
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Anderson and colleagues' 2011 study published in the journal Science reveals that faces paired with negative social information capture visual attention more prominently than positive or neutral social information, indicating the evolutionary significance of gossip in evaluating others.
2011
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The study by Anderson and colleagues in 2011 demonstrates that higher-order cognitive processes, such as evaluating social information, can influence early visual processing, highlighting the impact of gossip on perception.
1994
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Schoeman's 1994 study suggests that by gossiping about an individual's actions, others can subtly indicate that these actions are inappropriate, providing an opportunity for the individual to rectify their behavior.
2003
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A study conducted by Turner and colleagues in 2003 reveals that having a prior relationship with a gossiper does not shield them from receiving less favorable personality ratings after engaging in gossip.