Worried About Swearing Too Much? Science Says You Shouldn’t Be
Are you often concerned about your frequent use of expletives? Well, it's time to put those worries aside. Scientific research suggests that swearing might not be as negative as we've been led to believe. Let's delve into the surprising benefits of this misunderstood form of expression.
Some research suggests that it might be a better idea to simply let the filth fly
Studies have shown that swearing relieves stress, dulls the sensation of pain, fosters camaraderie among peers, and is linked with traits like verbal fluency, openness, and honesty
- And the effects of cursing are physical as well as mental
- A 2018 study in Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that letting out a few choice words during a workout can actually make you stronger
- Humans partly developed taboo language as an emotional release valve
Fluent in Foulness
A common assumption is that people swear because they lack the vocabulary, education, or intelligence to express themselves in other ways.
- Fluency is fluency, regardless of linguistic content
- An individual’s fluency in English language is linked to their swearing ability
- In other words, swearing may actually be a sign of greater intellect, not less, and a more robust vocabulary
Pain Relief
Researchers found that swearing actually increases an individual’s pain tolerance
- In 2009, researchers from Keele University’s School of Psychology in the U.K. set out to study whether swearing alters someone’s experience of pain
- Based on previous assumptions that swearing was a “maladaptive” response to pain, the scientists guessed that swearing would make pain feel worse
Damn Honest
People who curse often actually lie less and have a higher degree of integrity
- A 2012 study found that swearing can enhance the effectiveness and persuasiveness of an argument
- Cursing can also convey an emotional reaction to something without us resorting to physical violence
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