The purpose of the study was to investigate the dimensions of profane language use by 283 college students. Responses to a questionnaire on personal use of “sexual vernacular” were submitted to factor analysis. Results of the factor analysis yielded five dimensions of profane language based upon predispositions to use such words. The five dimensions were labeled: Abrasive, Technical, Abrasive-Expletive, Latent, and Euphemistic. Results are discussed in terms of past and future research needs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BaudhuinE. S.Obscene language and source credibility: An experimental study. Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention, Phoenix, April, 1971.
2.
BaudhuinE. S.Obscene language and evaluative response: An empirical study. Psychological Reports, 1973, 32, 399–402.
3.
CameronP.Frequency and kinds of words in various social settings, or what the hell's going on?Pacific Sociological Review, 1969, 12, 101–104.
4.
GoffmanI.Interaction ritual. New York: Anchor Books, 1967.
HarmanH. H.Modern factor analysis. Chicago: Univer. of Chicago Press, 1967.
7.
LodleS. E.Sexual vernacular: An empirical analysis of taboo communication behavior. Paper presented at the International Communication Association convention, Phoenix, April, 1971.
8.
LodleS. E.Sexual and excretory vernacular: A delineative examination and empirical analysis of the nature, scope and function of taboo, inhibitory, euphemistic and dysphemistic communication paradigms. Unpublished Master's thesis, California State Univer., Long Beach, 1972.
9.
MontagueA.The anatomy of swearing. New York: Macmillan, 1967.
10.
RossiterC. R.Jr.BostromR.Profanity, justification and source credibility. Paper presented at annual conference of the National Society for the Study of Communication, April, 1969.
