Research Wrap-Up: The Benefits of Swearing

You may be concerned that swearing in front of your kids models bad behavior or that coworkers will be offended if you blurt out a few choice words in the office. But psychological research shows swearing isn’t all bad. Studies show swearing has several benefits.

1) Swearing during painful medical procedures has been shown to increase pain tolerance.

2) Swearing can be used to add emphasis or shock-value to a persuasive communication. And there is evidence that the use of strategically placed swear words increases people’s memories for message content.

3) Swearing can create a sense of solidarity or group identity. It may serve a bonding function in certain social groups.

Expletives are most effective when used sparingly, so don’t start swearing like a sailor, now.

1a) People who swear often don’t get the same pain-busting benefits as those who swear infrequently, according to studies by Dr. Richard Stephens and Claudia Umland of Keele University in Glasgow, Scotland.

2a) Swearing adds emphasis to communications because it activates the emotional centers of the brain, not just the brain’s language centers. Too much swearing is likely to backfire because expletives lose their novelty. Your audience will simply remember that you’re not-so-well spoken.

3a) A recently published study of rheumatoid arthritis and cancer patients shows that swearing in the presence of others is related to increases in depression and decreases in perceived social support. While there are limitations to the study, it appears that swearing can cause people to back off instead of helping out.

Like lots of other things in life, it appears swearing is good in moderation. Whew!