The Secret Social Superpower: Why Gossip Is Essential to Human Bonding

The human desire to feel "in the know" and to possess secret or exclusive information also fuels the love of gossip. Being the one to share a new, juicy piece of information grants a temporary, but potent, sense of power and social importance. The bearer of valuable gossip becomes the focal point of the conversation, reinforcing their position within the social hierarchy and making them a desired conversational partner, thereby feeding an individual's need for recognition.