The Importance of Gossip Across Societies: Correlations With Institutionalization. (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Demerath, Loren; Korotayev, Andrey V.
• Is Part Of: Cross-cultural research. Volume 49:Number 3(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 297
• Page End: 314
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: gossip -- institutionalization -- complexity -- gender autonomy -- information; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1069397114554383
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1069-3971

Abstract

This article presents a cross-cultural analysis that explores the relationship between the importance of gossip and institutionalization. It is reasoned that as institutionalization increases, so does the difficulty of attaining direct information about events and people that would be consequential for any given individual. As a result, gossip should increase with institutionalization, and complexity generally. This general hypothesis is tested against data from a sample of recent and historical societies. The analysis finds support for the hypothesis and also explores the relationship between gossip and gender autonomy. The results are discussed in terms of understanding gossip as a strategy for attaining information when direct information gathering is inhibited by one's social structural circumstances. The article closes with a discussion of possible implications for contemporary societies.