Ever dropped a heavy book squarely on your unsuspecting toe and, in the split second that follows, unleashed a torrent of expletives from your mouth? Swearing– the spontaneous eruption of colorful language, is a universal experience in the face of frustration, stress, or physical discomfort. But have you ever wondered why we resort to such language and what lies beneath these seemingly impulsive verbal expressions? This article unravels the psychology behind why our tongues dance with taboo and the surprising impact it has on our emotional release, social bonds, and even pain perception.
Emotional expression and stress relief
One of the primary functions of swearing is emotional expression. When individuals find themselves in situations of frustration, pain, or stress, uttering profanities can relieve pent-up emotions. Researchers have found that swearing can activate the amygdala and basal ganglia, parts of the brain associated with emotional processing. Hence, it has been hypothesized that the act of swearing roots back into our ancient and emotional set of response structures, especially those involved in recognizing and responding to threats. In essence, swearing allows individuals to express and alleviate intense emotions, momentarily providing relief and empowerment.
Pain perception and tolerance
A significant body of research conducted by the School of Psychology, Keele University, showed that swearing has hypoalgesic, or ‘pain-relieving’ effects. In a series of experiments, participants were asked to hold their hands in an ice water bath for as long as possible, with one group vocalizing swear words versus the control group vocalizing neutral words. The length of time in which the participants could keep their hands in the water was indicative of their pain tolerance. Interestingly, results showed that those who swore had a higher pain tolerance as compared to those who used neutral language. One possible explanation for this hypoalgesic effect is distraction– it is thought that the novelty of swearing distracts people from the pain or whatever emotion it is that they are experiencing.
Coprolalia and Tourette's syndrome
While swearing is generally considered a normal part of human communication, for some individuals, it can become a manifestation of a neurological condition known as Tourette's syndrome. Known as coprolalia, the repetitive and involuntary use of obscene or socially inappropriate language is a complex tic that affects about 1 in 10 people with Tourette’s. Read this article for more information on Coprolalia. Understanding the neurological basis of coprolalia sheds light on the involuntary nature of some forms of swearing and challenges societal perceptions of profanity as a matter of choice. It is crucial to understand that these ‘socially inappropriate’ words or phrases do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of the person with coprolalia; many find these vocal tics of theirs embarrassing and distressing.
Positive effects of swearing
Swearing may be a sign of intelligence despite its association with vulgarity and immaturity. Among these, there are various advantages swearing may provide:
Indication of Intelligence: Many argue that swearing can be attributed to social intelligence, in that knowing when and where swearing is appropriate is a social cognitive skill. Moreover, a 2015 study also found that people who swore often had a more expansive vocabulary than those who didn’t.
More swearing, More honesty: A series of three studies published in 2017 found that people who cursed lied less on an interpersonal level and had higher levels of integrity. This may be because these individuals are used to honestly expressing their emotions through the use of curse words.
Improved pain tolerance: As mentioned earlier, spouting curse words has been proven to help with pain tolerance and endurance due to its hypoalgesic effects.
Is swearing okay?
Swearing is a complex and multifaceted aspect of human communication with deep-rooted psychological underpinnings. It serves various functions in our daily lives, from providing emotional release to influencing pain perception. But does that make it okay for us to curse whenever we feel like it, regardless of our environment or how what we say might make others feel? Certainly not. Understanding the psychology behind swearing allows us to appreciate the nuanced ways in which language reflects and shapes our emotions, social bonds, and identities.
Reference list
CNN, S.L. (2023). Why Swearing Is a Sign of Intelligence, Helps Manage Pain and More. [online] CNN. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/26/health/swearing-benefits-wellness/index.html.
Stapleton, Karyn., Beers Fägersten, Kristy., Stephens, Richard. and Loveday, Catherine. (2022). The power of swearing: What we know and what we don’t. Lingua, 277, p.103406. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2022.103406.
Stephens, R., Spierer, D. and Katehis, E. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/media/keeleuniversity/facnatsci/schpsych/staffdocs/richardstephens/Stephens%20PSE%20Author%20Submission%20Nov17v2.pdf.
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