Böcker av Seth Adam Gitter

A recent Supreme Court case conferred the FCC with the ability to increase the fines forprofane language on television as well as to expand their definition of what is deemed offensive.These actions appear to be based on the belief that profane language negatively impacts humanbehavior. Yet little research exists to indicate that profane language has any effect on humanbehavior, much less negative effects. The current studies sought to examine the effect ofexposure to profane language on human behavior. Specifically, we tested whether profanelanguage would impact factors related to self-control. Two studies provide evidence thatprofanity can either decrease or increase self-control based on factors of the situation in whichthe swearing occurred and personal factors of those who are being exposed. A third studyprovides evidence that exposure to profanity decreases the perception of the strictness of socialnorms by those who are exposed to it.