Clinical psychologist Niamh Delmar discusses the role that gossips play in our lives.
Celebrity headlines, a high-profile trial, or just some commonplace neighbourhood gossip can attract a shocking amount of attention. Whether it’s a rogue Instagram story or a mistaken text, drama can run rampant, but what does that tell us about our brains?
In the digital world, we are inundated with clickbait about the latest stories, rumours, social media commentary and sagas about others. Once we’re online, we can find ourselves in the homes and relationships of influencers, celebrities and colleagues alike.
From a psychological point of view, this fascination actually makes a lot of sense. Our brains are wired to pay attention to dramatic events.
Social identity theory asserts that consuming such content reinforces our sense of belonging. Online, it provides a digital social connection. Global conversations and debates are instigated. In-groups and out-groups get formed.
Studies have found that it can facilitate a bonding experience. Interactions can be positive, negative or neutral.
With celebrities, parasocial relationships are at play, in which they are one-sided. Harmless gossiping with work colleagues may boost group cohesiveness. People feel important, included and ‘in the know’, sharing the latest news about someone. Possessing the knowledge gives an air of authority.
Research has found that pro-social gossip has positive effects, as it can provide social skills and lessons about inappropriate or appropriate behaviours.
People tend to have a desire to look up to others. They may aspire to influencers’ and celebrities’ wealth, fame, physical appearance and lifestyle. Learning about their dramas and problems humanises them.
Consuming dramas and gossip about others can also serve as an emotional outlet for people. It helps explore and make sense of one’s own life. The human condition gets played out for us to witness. Opportunities arise to empathise with other people’s experiences.
Many seek role models and then become immersed in their lives. Engaging in a celebrity’s problem provides a safe space to process your own feelings. Hearing about other people struggling gives permission to acknowledge your own.
Scrolling through the lives of others can be an escape from difficult emotions, life stressors and mundaneness. It can be an antidote to boredom. Research has found that sharing gossip about celebrities involves less anticipated guilt and more perceived excitement.
Chemical reactions are also at play. Increased levels of the neurochemical oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) have been linked to gossiping. It is pleasurable and entertaining, as long as it is not malicious.
Brain imaging has found that hearing gossip showed more activity in the prefrontal cortex and the reward centre of the brain. However, if not contained and limited, engaging in the drama of others can become addictive. While a person gets light relief and social bonding in such activity, there is a dark side.
There may be too much of a distraction from their own issues and problems. Escaping into the dramas of others may lead to avoiding real matters. It is easier to judge others and offer solutions than to look at ourselves and initiate change.
With the lives of celebrities, we are offered idealised versions of them, and publicity-seeking is involved. People often complain about time wasted in real life or online, caught up in the lives of others. Energy can get used up, leaving you drained.
There’s a reason celebrity gossip is a billion-dollar industry. There is an innate fascination with watching and analysing the lives of others, but negativity bias means that dramatic and negative news often gets more of our attention than bland or positive news.
Watching or reading big stories can give a dopamine hit, so a person gets a pleasurable buzz from it. For some, it can become an obsession. Excessive consumption is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression and negative body image.
Healthy boundaries are needed. Gauge how you are feeling after such encounters. Avoid vitriol. Take digital breaks. While we are immersed in other people’s lives, we could be living our own more fully.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, visit https://about.rte.ie/ie/helplines/
