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Gossip as an effective and low-cost form of punishment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2012

Matthew Feinberg ,
Joey T. Cheng  and
Robb Willer
Matthew Feinberg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1650. [email protected]://sites.google.com/site/matthewfeinbergpsychology/
Joey T. Cheng
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. [email protected]
Robb Willer
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1980. [email protected]://willer.berkeley.edu/
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Abstract

The spreading of reputational information about group members through gossip represents a widespread, efficient, and low-cost form of punishment. Research shows that negative arousal states motivate individuals to gossip about the transgressions of group members. By sharing information in this way groups are better able to promote cooperation and maintain social control and order.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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