Age differences in women's tendency to gossip are mediated by their mate value

K. Massar*, A.P. Buunk, S. Rempt

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

In the current study it was investigated whether age differences in women's tendency to gossip exist, and whether these could be accounted for by self-reported mate value. It was expected that younger women would report a higher tendency to gossip after reading a scenario in which a romantic rival was introduced, because they are at an age when competition for mates is salient and often intense. Moreover, it was hypothesized that this higher tendency to gossip would be attributable to these women's higher mate value, since younger women have a higher reproductive capacity than older women. The results confirm these expectations: age differences in women's tendency to gossip disappeared when controlling for mate value. Discussion focuses on the interpretation and implications of these results.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)106-109
JournalPersonality and Individual Differences
Volume52
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

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