Gossip about in-group and out-group norm deviations

Gossip plays an essential role in our societies, and individuals gossip about others’ behavior for various reasons. While previous studies have consistently demonstrated that are more willing to norm deviations, existing research has understudied the potential of group membership target (i.e. a person who is gossiped about) recipient (a to) on tendency instigate deviation. We conducted study (N = 1038) which we orthogonally manipulated as well types (normative, negative deviation, positive deviation), tested several preregistered hypotheses regarding willingness motivations. found were deviations compared normative regardless recipient, except when they consider gossiping in-group deviation toward out-group member. motivations substantially varied depending valence membership.