Can't the other half stand it? Study: People who swear are less likely to lie and cheat
The more swearing people are, the more honest they are? Study: People who often curse others are less likely to lie
Language is the cornerstone of human communication and social communication activities. Most people associate “swearing” with negative labels such as vulgarity and uneducatedness. Swearing negative words is often accompanied by intense situations such as losing control of emotions. However, psychologists believe that swearing is not entirely negative. The behavior of cursing others may reveal a “more honest” psychological phenomenon.
A research team from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong wrote in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science that people who often use swear words to curse others may actually exhibit a behavior of “honest swearing” , are unlikely to be related to “lying” and “cheating”, they may even be more honest than ordinary people.
The research team conducted 2 surveys for this purpose. In the first survey, 276 participants were asked to list their most commonly used or favorite swear words and were asked to describe the reasons for using these words. After filling out the questionnaire, the subjects then took a lie test to determine whether they were being honest or simply being perfunctory to the researchers.
In the second survey, the team collected data from 75,000 Facebook users to measure the frequency and status of their use of profanity during online social interactions. The study found that people who used more profanity were also more likely to use language patterns associated with honesty, such as using “I” pronouns more often.
After comparing the data from the above two surveys, the research team found that whether they are talking to relatives and friends or socializing with strangers on online social platforms, most people who like to express their emotions through swear words are more honest. In addition, the different response methods also reveal the views on swearing in different regions. For example, people in the northeastern states of the United States prefer to express their emotions through swearing, while the opposite is true in the southern states.
Is “blasphemy” actually a kind of “honesty”? Contemporary people are more tolerant of swearing culture
Study author Dr. David Stillwell said that the relationship between the so-called “blasphemy” and “honesty” is quite subtle. Swearing is often regarded as inappropriate behavior in social interactions, but it also relatively indicates that the other person is telling one’s honest opinion. The words of these swearing users are unfiltered and most directly reflect their true inner thoughts.
Dr. David Stillwell cited the example of former U.S. President Donald John Trump: Trump used profanity in his speeches during the U.S. election, which was considered by some supporters to be more sincere than his competitors. Stillwell noted that swear words are often associated with expressions of emotions such as anger, frustration or surprise, but can also be used to entertain others and gain followers.
Popular culture and film and television works have also changed people’s views on swearing. Stillwell believes that people’s attitudes towards swearing have changed in recent decades. Today’s movies, TV shows and books are full of profanity, but people are more tolerant of this phenomenon. Does this mean that contemporary people have become more forthright and brave enough to admit mistakes than before? David Stillwell gave a positive answer, and it is indeed possible. Further research remains to confirm the role of swear words in popular culture and its deeper role in psychology.
source:
Frankly, We Do Give a Damn: The Relationship Between Profanity and Honesty
