Is the Truth Really Ugly?
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Welcome
Is the Truth Really Ugly?
Authors:
Kelly M. Goedert, Seton Hall University
Susan A. Nolan, Seton Hall University
Kaylise D. Algrim, Seton Hall University
What makes a word bad? Almost all languages have certain words that are not polite to say at the dinner table. These words might be acceptable in some situations, like a night out with friends, but not in others, such as arguing a case in court. While offensive language can be, well, offensive, it can also be a way to express emotions more emphatically. Cursing certainly has some negative connotations, but are there ways swearing can be good? Moreover, is there something different about people who use more four-letter words?
![girl playing games on desktop computer.](asset/images/ch15/n131188663.jpg)
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A series of studies compared whether frequently using curse words may relate to truth-telling (Feldman et al., 2017). Because swearing is often perceived negatively, some people view those who swear as untrustworthy and dishonest. However, an international team of researchers wondered if people who swear more often are more honest than those who don’t swear so frequently. After all, swearing can be seen as a glimpse of someone’s “unfiltered feelings” (p. 817). So, maybe swearing is related to honesty. The research team tested people’s tendency for dishonesty alongside their overall use and general pleasure in using curse words.
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In the study, participants completed an honesty measure on which they answered questions for which a yes answer is unlikely, such as “Are all your habits good and desirable ones?” The honesty measures assessed whether they tended to answer honestly versus in a way that was socially desirable (and so less honest).
Participants were then asked about their swearing in three ways. First, participants reported their frequency of swearing in different contexts, a measure called “profanity self-report.” They then completed two behavioral measures: (1) Students were asked to list the curse words they “use the most,” and then (2) students were asked to list the curse words they “like the most.” The researchers added, “Feel free, don’t hold back.”
Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
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Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
1.5 CORRELATION: IS THE TRUTH REALLY UGLY?5 of 10
Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
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Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
1.7 CORRELATION: IS THE TRUTH REALLY UGLY?7 of 10
Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
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Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
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Variables | Mean | SD | Honesty | Profanity self-report | Profanity used |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Honesty | 7.63 | 3.00 | (0.79) | ||
Profanity self-report | 6.51 | 2.56 | 0.34*** | (0.84) | |
Profanity used | 4.09 | 2.61 | 0.20** | 0.46*** | (—) |
Profanity liked | 1.60 | 1.62 | 0.13* | 0.41*** | 0.45*** |
* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001.
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The bottom line: The international research team found evidence that people who like to swear might just be more honest and show their true colors more often.
![A passive aggressive woman stands in front of a blue wall and flips off the camera while concealing it with a paper heart.](asset/images/ch15/n647491348.jpg)
REFERENCES
Feldman, G., Lian, H., Kosinski, M., & Stillwell, D. (2017). Frankly, we do give a damn: The relationship between profanity and honesty.” Social Psychological and Personality Science, 8, 816–826. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550616681055