Gossiping to the Top: Observed Differences in Popular Adolescents' Gossip

Despite its omnipresence, quantitative research examining both the nature and the function of adolescent gossip has been limited. The present study aimed to address this limitation in the literature by examining the nature and function of adolescent gossip; in particular, it aimed to explore observed differences between the gossip of those popular and non-popular adolescent dyads. Using both observational lab-based and sociometric school-based methods, the present study assessed the associations between social status and gossip functionality among 130 ninth grade students (92 females). Popular adolescent dyads engaged in more instances of gossip and were more likely to use gossip to foster intimacy, establish norms, and share both information and their opinions. Results also pointed to potential mechanisms by which popular adolescent dyads may gather alliances that support their status within the social hierarchy.