A recent study indicates that swearing may enhance focus and performance during challenging tasks. Researchers at Keele University in the United Kingdom, led by Richard Stephens, have found that uttering expletives can help individuals overcome inhibitions, leading to improved results in strength and endurance tests. The findings, published in the journal American Psychologist, build on previous research showing that swearing can enhance physical performance in various activities.
In their latest study, the researchers enlisted 192 participants to explore the psychological mechanisms behind the effectiveness of swearing. Participants were asked to repeatedly say either a swear word of their choice or a neutral term while performing a chair pushup exercise. Following the physical challenge, they were surveyed about their mental state during the task, focusing on aspects like self-confidence, distraction, and their experience of what is known as psychological “flow”—a state of complete immersion in an activity.
The results revealed that those who swore while performing the pushups could support their body weight significantly longer than those who used neutral words. This difference was attributed to increased feelings of self-confidence and decreased distraction among the participants who swore. As Stephens noted, “These findings help explain why swearing is so commonplace.”
Swearing appears to act as a tool for disinhibition, allowing individuals to push their limits in demanding situations. The researchers theorized that swearing helps break free from social constraints, which can otherwise inhibit performance.
The implications of these findings are broad. According to Nicholas Washmuth, a co-author of the study from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the next phase of research will investigate whether the benefits of swearing can enhance performance in settings where overcoming hesitancy is crucial. This includes areas such as public speaking and romantic pursuits, where individuals often experience self-doubt.
In a world where performance enhancement methods vary widely, swearing emerges as an accessible and cost-free option. As Stephens concluded, “Swearing is literally a calorie neutral, drug-free, low-cost, readily available tool at our disposal for when we need a boost in performance.”
This study contributes to the growing body of evidence surrounding the psychological and physiological effects of swearing, suggesting that it may serve as more than just an expression of frustration. The findings encourage a reevaluation of the role that swearing plays in everyday life and its potential benefits in high-pressure situations.
