Associates Quote by Richard Wiseman
“When you gossip about another person, listeners unconsciously associate you with the characteristics you are describing, ultimately leading to those characteristics' being “transferred” to you. So, say positive and pleasant things about friends and colleagues, and you are seen as a nice person. In contrast, constantly complain about their failings, and people will unconsciously apply the negative traits and incompetence to you.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Psychology of Social Influence, 2015
Gossip transfers perceived traits onto the speaker, shaping others' impressions positively or negatively.
In simple terms: Talking about others changes how people see you.
Key Takeaway
Speak positively about others.
Themes
communication
reputation
psychology
social dynamics
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
psychological
When to use this quote
- workplace
- social gatherings
- online forums
- team meetings
Key Concepts
self-fulfilling prophecy
impression management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate genuine compliments?
- What habits prevent negative talk?
A Different Perspective
Positive gossip can be seen as insincere.
![“[Alex Hayley] wanted to show the negative aspects of the N.O.I.'s ideology, Yacub's history, and all of the ramifications of racial separatism that he felt were negative, and that Malcolm, being as charismatic as he was, a very attractive figure, nevertheless, he embodied these kind of negative…” quote by Manning Marable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0c0/manning-marable-9023_alex_alex-hayley-wanted-to-show-the-negative_2630092.jpg)
![“The young man [Turgot] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his studies, his reading, his professors, his associates, all were combined to keep from him any results of observation or reflection save those…” quote by Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5d4/andrew-dickson-white-24254_associates_the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecc_3146.jpg)
