Gossip is ubiquitous – chances are that you have shared, heard, or been the topic of gossip today. Why do we love to talk about other people? Is gossiping part of our human nature? Are there benefits of gossip, to either the individual or to society? In this article I will review what researchers have learned about the nature of gossip, its bad reputation, and the numerous functions it serves in society. The dish on gossip: Its origins, functions, and bad reputation Think about the last conversation you had. What did you talk about? Was the conversation focused on yourself, or your...