When is Gossip Just Relational Aggression?
Gossip is going to happen. It is an evolved human behaviour based upon evolved human psychological traits. However, as with almost everything in psychological science and the human psyche: there're maladaptive and adaptive manifestations; harmful and helpful manifestations. Is the gossip toxic? That is the question. Are most of the nodes in the human small-world network pathological? Who do you want gossiping about you: people who are well intentioned, properly informed, and without any cluster B personality disorder? When does the gossip become just relational aggression camouflaged as pro-sociality?
The role of gossip in a communal narcissist's manipulation of flying monkeys is well documented by therapists. The role of gossip in the psychopathic APD sufferer's subversion of their victims is well known. There are clearly many variables to account for.
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