Despite the results, psychology teacher says the study may be far-fetched

Think swearing makes you feel better? Think again. A recent study published this year by psychologists from Bristol University claims that swearing actually stresses out people more than if they did not. According to the study, using profanity causes a stronger reaction in the emotional center of the brain than if one were to use normal speech.

However, sophomore Sam Pickett admits that he will say an occasional swear word when he gets injured or irritated.

“I don’t try to swear; sometimes, it just comes out,” he said.

Pickett is not alone. Swearing is prevalent everywhere: in music, on the Internet, on television.  Anyone could stand out in the middle of a hallway in the  school and hear profanity from all directions. According to a study in Time from last year, due to an increase in vulgar language in adults and teenagers, children are swearing earlier than ever. Also, the study noted that swearing is becoming a problem that is starting at ages 3 and 4.

Amid all of this swearing, the commonly held perception, though, is that swearing helps relieve pain.

“In a way, (swearing) makes me feel a little better,” Pickett said. “I think that there’s a psychological effect that it decreases pain a little bit.”

Previous studies published in The New York Times in 2009 even showed that cursing could increase one’s pain tolerance. Volunteers, according to The New York Times, were able to submerge their arms into a bucket of ice water for a longer amount of time if they continuously uttered a swear word, as opposed to if they just said a normal word.

Students and faculty here said they are undecided and have mixed feelings about these studies. Psychology teacher Peter O’Hara said this new study from Bristol University sounds far fetched, considering the past research done, but either side could be valid.

“It is kind of like smoking. People say they smoke to relieve physical pain. Some say that there’s no way that smoking decreases stress, but some people smoke to avoid stress,” O’Hara said.

On the other hand, Pickett somewhat agreed with the results of the Bristol University study, saying he could understand how the study is true.

“When I’m angry and I curse, it kind of just adds to the fire and makes me more tense and riled up. It creates a strained environment,” Pickett said.

On the other hand, O’Hara said he believes that there is a slight flaw in the study.

“For some people, swearing is normal words,” O’Hara said. “Some people just do it all the time, anyhow.”

O’Hara admits that he swears from time to time when he gets injured or angry.

“Swearing doesn’t make me feel better; it doesn’t make me feel worse. It just makes me feel,” O’Hara said.

Vulgar language no longer has the same meaning as it used to, according to O’Hara.  People today have different purposes for using profanity.

O’Hara said, “Some young people swear because they think it makes them big and tough. Some older people swear because they think it makes them tough. A lot of people swear because they are ignorant and don’t know how to use the language.”

Despite this new study, O’Hara said he doesn’t think people will try to change their habits on cursing.

“For most people, the first word they utter when they get hurt is a swear word. It’s a reaction.  We usually don’t think about (what we are saying), we just react,” O’Hara said. “In psychology, I don’t know if it’s so much about what you say, but it’s that you are going to say something to release the energy and tension.”

But Pickett said he will watch his language more and be more aware of using profanity.

He said, “I don’t know if I would make a conscious effort to stop swearing, but it’s something I will certainly keep in mind now and try and decrease it.”