Verbal Derogation

Synonyms

Aggression; Female-female competition; Gossip; Intrasexual competition; Intrasexual rivalry; Rumor spreading

Definition

The use of verbal insults to devalue a woman’s mate value relative to one’s own mate value.

Introduction

Verbal derogation is a strategy commonly used by women who are in competition for male attention. When women use this strategy, they say things about another woman in an attempt to lower the other woman’s mate value. Verbal derogation can take the form of direct aggression, such as when someone yells at another person (Bjorkqvist et al. 1992). However, women’s verbal derogation typically takes the form of indirect aggression, such as gossiping and rumor spreading. Women’s derogatory comments about other women have three major themes: women’s appearance, promiscuity, and fidelity (Buss and Dedden 1990). Specifically, women are likely to verbally derogate other women by criticizing the way they look or by saying that they are “easy” or that they sleep...