Gossip

Lead-in

“Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see.”

  • What do you like to gossip about? Why?
  • Why do people usually like to gossip about celebrities?
  • In what situations do you talk about people behind their backs? 
  • Have you ever told a rumor that got someone in trouble? What happened?
  • How can gossip be positive?
  • What qualities make a person more likely to be a gossiper?

Presentation 1

Pre?

  • Why do you think people gossip about people they are friends with?

Top Down

  • According to the video, what are some reasons why people gossip? Watch it and find out.
  • To make time pass
  • To feel better
  • To connect
  • For no reason
  • To make comparisons
  • To make others feel bad
  • To have fun
  • To be popular
  • To make time pass
  • To feel better
  • To connect
  • For no reason
  • To make comparisons
  • To make others feel bad
  • To have fun
  • To be popular

Bottom Up

  • True or False

Example: People are being asked questions online. > False

  1. Some people gossip to feel better about themselves but they know it’s not a healthy habit.
  2. Another reason for gossiping is to compare mistakes people make.
  3. When gossiping, people are focusing on what’s outside of them.
  4. None of the people in the video were gossiped about. 
  5. According to the video, it’s better to talk about other people’s lives behind their backs so you don’t intrude. 
  1. Some people gossip to feel better about themselves but they know it’s not a healthy habit. False
  2. Another reason for gossiping is to compare mistakes people make. True
  3. When gossiping, people are focusing on what’s outside of them. True
  4. None of the people in the video were gossiped about. False
  5. According to the video, it’s better to talk about other people’s lives behind their backs so you don’t intrude. False

Post

  • Some people say that gossiping is actually a social skill. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Presentation 2

Pre

  • What was the last time you gossiped? What was the gossip about?

Top Down

  • What is the science behind gossiping? Watch the video and find out. 
  • When gossiping, we’re somehow trying to defeat enemies.
  • When gossiping, we’re getting closer to the people we gossip with.
  • When gossiping, we’re just gaining knowledge.
  • When gossiping, we’re somehow trying to defeat enemies.
  • When gossiping, we’re getting closer to the people we gossip with.
  • When gossiping, we’re just gaining knowledge.

Bottom Up

  • Fill in the gaps as you watch the video again.

Example: What’s the science behind ____? > What’s the science behind gossip?

  1. We _______ rail against people for gossiping, and _______ there’s anything quite as delicious as hearing, like, really good gossip. 
  2. So we’re gossiping _______ somebody else and we’re doing something competitive _______ someone else.
  3. The second thing it’s happening is we _______ ideas about the norms and _______ and standards.
  4. So gossip is playing important functions in a couple of ways and it is, it can be, _______.
  5. I think it’s helpful to be _______ of the broader _______ of things that gossip is doing.
  1. We often rail against people for gossiping, and yet there’s anything quite as delicious as hearing, like, really good gossip. 
  2. So we’re gossiping about somebody else and we’re doing something competitive against someone else.
  3. The second thing it’s happening is we convey ideas about the norms and expectations and standards.
  4. So gossip is playing important functions in a couple of ways and it is, it can be, harmful.
  5. I think it’s helpful to be mindful of the broader set of things that gossip is doing.

Post

  • Do you agree with the video? Why or why not?
  • Have you ever made friends with, or got closer to someone, by gossiping with them? Talk about it.