Speaking of Psychology The psychology of swearing, with Richard Stephens, PhD
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Apr 9, 2025 Richard Stephens, PhD, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Keele University, dives into the captivating world of swearing. He reveals how swearing boosts pain tolerance and physical performance, a phenomenon he coined 'lalochesia.' The conversation explores the brain's unique processing of profane language and its surprising neurological underpinnings. Stephens also discusses the shifting societal views on swearing, its psychological benefits, and how it can enhance emotional strength in stressful situations, especially for bilingual individuals.
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Swearing and Pain: Personal Experiences
- Richard Stephens became curious about swearing's effect on pain after hitting his finger with a hammer.
- His wife's experience during childbirth, where midwives normalized swearing during labor, furthered his interest.
Defining Swearing in Research
- Swearing and cursing are interchangeable terms.
- Stephens' research uses repeated swear words at a steady pace and volume to operationalize swearing.
Swearing Increases Pain Tolerance
- Studies using ice water show that repeating swear words increases pain tolerance.
- Participants kept their hands submerged longer while swearing compared to using neutral words.
