The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words

摘要: Taboo words are defined and sanctioned by institutions of power (e.g., religion, media), prohibitions reiterated in child-rearing practices. Native speakers acquire folk knowledge taboo words, but it lacks the complexity that psychological science requires for an understanding swearing. Misperceptions persist society at large about how frequently people swear or what means when they do. Public recordings establish commonplace occurrence swearing (ubiquity), although frequency data not always appreciated laboratory research. A set 10 has remained stable over past 20 years accounts 80% public Swearing is positively correlated with extraversion Type hostility negatively agreeableness, conscientiousness, religiosity, sexual anxiety. The uniquely human facility evolved persists because can communicate emotion information (anger, frustration) more readily than nontaboo allowing to achieve a variety personal social goals them (utility). neuro-psycho-social framework offered unify word Suggestions future research offered.