Psychology of Gossip: Perception and Motivation of Selected College Students Engaged in Gossip

Given the prevalence of gossiping it despite its negative connotation, especially its adverse impact on individuals’ relationships people engaging in gossip persists. For this reason, leads to the need for studying what urge them to engage in gossip. Therefore, the researcher decided to assess the perception and motivation of the students in MSEUF, which may serve as an avenue to further understand gossip. The study utilized the descriptive survey method, survey-type questionnaire, and purposively sampled 147 college students who were currently enrolled in the Department of College of Arts and Sciences from Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF), and prequalified to be engaging in gossip. Findings show that there is a significant association between individuals' perception of engaging in gossip and their demographic profile, specifically gender. On the other hand, age did not exhibit a significant association. Similarly, the motivation behind engaging in gossip, namely, social inclusion and individuality, showed a significant link with the demographic profile in gender, but not with age. Based from the results, the researcher proposed seminar-workshop program was made to highlight gossip, if done with the appropriate understanding and intention could a positive social activity, which has proven aid in self-evaluation. Future investigations about gossip are recommended to further understand other underlying factors that influence individuals to engage with gossiping.