In this book Grooming, Gossip, and the Evolution of Language, psychologist Robin Dunbar looks at gossip as an instrument of social order and cohesion — much like the endless grooming with which our primate cousins tend to their social relationships. AustraliaAustriaBrazilCanadaChinaCzech RepublicEgyptFranceGermanyGlobalIndiaItalyJapanMexicoNetherlandsPolandSaudia ArabiaSingaporeSpainTurkeyUAEUnited KingdomUnited States As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small … Continue reading Grooming, Gossip, and the Evolution of Language by Robin Dunbar (1996)
An interesting conundrum arises when considering the Jewish religious law forbidding Lashon Hara (speaking derogatorily about someone) and building social trust through gossip. Why would Jewish religious law consider gossip bad while anthropologists consider it good? The Conundrum Speaking Lashon Hara in Jewish religious law is considered bad because of the harm it can cause. … Continue reading Gossip and Lashon Hara Conversation about other people
Data from various settings suggest that there is an upper limit of about four on the number of individuals who can interact in spontaneous conversation. Abstract Data from various settings suggest that there is an upper limit of about four on the number of individuals who can interact in spontaneous conversation. This limit appears to … Continue reading Size and Structure of Freely Forming Conversational Groups Robin Dunbar, N. D. C. Duncan and D. Nettle (1995)
