Physical Attractiveness of Potential Competitors Influences Women’s Gossip: Effects of Romantic Jealousy and Self-Esteem

This research investigated whether and how young women used gossip strategies to win opportunities for themselves when facing physically attractive potential romantic competitors. After selecting female face images through the pilot study, the formal study (N = 190) used a one-factor between-subject design to examine the effect of potential competitors’ physical attractiveness on women’s gossip tendencies and explore the mediating role of romantic jealousy and the moderating role of self-esteem. Our results suggested that when facing physically attractive potential competitors, young women experienced higher levels of romantic jealousy and were thus more likely to transmit negative information that could harm potential competitors’ sexual reputations to their friends. Furthermore, women with low self-esteem were more likely to experience higher levels of romantic jealousy and were more likely to transmit negative information to their friends. We also discuss the implications and limitations of this study, as well as directions for future studies.