Venting to a friend about another friend can serve as a competitive strategy, increasing the likability of the person doing the venting, provided aggression is minimal.
Our findings indicate that when the venting is perceived as aggressive or derogatory towards the target friend, the overall effect can backfire, making the speaker less likable.
The study implies that while venting can enhance our social connections, the intent behind the venting—whether seen as competitive or hostile—shapes its effectiveness.
Jaimie Krems stated that venting could strengthen support from listeners as long as it doesn't come across as a deliberate competition against the friend being criticized.
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