The "church culture" things is just a reflection of them being human. The difference is that when we are active in church we are socializing with a LOT more people than I would say people do regularly. If people are prone to gossip then we will see it in the church as well (I would say it is proportionally less than other areas of life such as work gossip) and it might seem like Mormons are bigger gossips than other people.

And I think this is blown even more out of proportion when people complain about "Utah Mormons". They are no different than anyone else in the church except that the same people they see at church on Sunday are also at the same school pickup and drop off. Then they see the same people at the little league games.

I don't know if what I wrote makes sense. (It does in my head but couldn't get it worded the way I wanted)