EXAMINING CHRISTIAN LISTENERS’ ROLE IN GOSSIP: A RELATIONAL DILEMMA

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to explore Christians’ beliefs and responses to listening to gossip. This research framed gossip as a co-constructed conversation between speaker and listener. Listening to gossip was examined through the dual lenses of personal goals and societal listening norms. Results revealed that Christians believe listening to gossip is harmful to themselves, the gossip target, and the gossip speaker. And yet, many listen and contribute to gossip. Personal goals for approval and inclusion as well as societal supportive listening norms exert pressure to listen to gossip. When respondents addressed gossip, they tended to do so indirectly.