Why gossip is good for you

Masson, J (1991) Final analysis: The making and unmaking of a psychoanalyst. London: Harper Collins, ISBN 000215 7187, pp202 (Addison Wesley, 1990).

Authors

  • Jennifer McCaul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159//2309-8708/1993/n17a8

Abstract

A recent edition of New Scientist contains an article entitled "Why gossip is good for you". Gossiping. the author argues, serves the purpose of providing a sense of social cohesion to human relationships. It is a sophisticated form of the nit-picking that goes by the name of grooming in primate groups. Jeffrey Masson has assigned himself just such a task in his book Final analysis. He aims to expose the lice-infested body of psychoanalysis to the world, through an extended gossip about his "making and unmaking as a psychoanalyst".

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Published

2026-01-15

How to Cite

McCaul, J. (2026). Why gossip is good for you: Masson, J (1991) Final analysis: The making and unmaking of a psychoanalyst. London: Harper Collins, ISBN 000215 7187, pp202 (Addison Wesley, 1990). PINS-Psychology in Society, (17). https://doi.org/10.17159//2309-8708/1993/n17a8

Issue

No. 17 (1993)

Section

Book Reviews

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Jennifer McCaul

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