Researchers at Keele University find swearing can help people feel focused and confident and frees them to ‘go for it’
It may not be in keeping with the festive spirit, but if you find yourself dropping the F-word while wrestling a Christmas tree up a flight of stairs, scientists say you could be on to something. A study has found that swearing can boost physical performance by lowering inhibitions and pushing the brain into a “flow state”.
“In many situations, people hold themselves back – consciously or unconsciously – from using their full strength,” said Dr Richard Stephens, a psychologist at Keele University who led the research. “Swearing is an easily available way to help yourself feel focused, confident and less distracted, and go for it a little more.”
Previous research found that swearing increases strength and pain tolerance in tests that involved participants repeating swearwords while pushing themselves to the limit on an exercise bike or holding their hand in icy water. Initially the researchers hypothesised that swearing riled people up into a “fight or flight” state, but they did not find any corroborating evidence for this, such as an increased heart rate.
Instead, the latest research suggests that swearing triggers a state of disinhibition. “By swearing, we throw off social constraint and allow ourselves to push harder,” said Stephens.
