Robb Willer wants to spread the word about his latest study.

Gossip has always been associated with a destructive, rumour-mongering culture known for tarnishing reputations.

However, Willer's new research not only shines a positive light on the act of gossiping, it actually reveals social and psychological benefits. Go ahead and tell your friends.

"Gossip gets a bad rap," says the University of California (Berkeley) social psychologist, who co-wrote the study with Matthew Feinberg, Jennifer Stellar and Dacher Keltner.

"Much of what we call gossip is driven by a sincere desire to help others."

As the study points out, this goodwill plays an important role in maintaining social order and relieving frustrations, and although Willer acknowledges that false and degrading rumours are socially harmful, his research, published in a recent issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, focuses on the dynamics behind "pro-social gossip."

"We find that much gossip has both positive effects and moral motivations," Willer says.

"Gossip can be quite virtuous." In one of the study's four experiments, 51 volunteers were hooked up to heart rate monitors as they observed two people playing a game where it became apparent that one was cheating.

This sent the observers' heart rates up and most took the chance to slip a "gossip note" to a new player that their opponent wasn't playing by the rules.

By doing so, their heart rates calmed down.

"Gossiping can make you feel better and you might even say it's therapeutic," Willer says.

"When people pass on information about others who are selfish and untrustworthy it warns others to avoid these people. As a result, overall rates of exploitation can be controlled in the group."