- Part of what gives taboo words power is when they’re sanctioned
- The more they’re sanctioned, the more powerful they become
- Punishment can cause swear words to acquire long-lasting emotional connotations (e.g. fear or anxiety), enhancing their power
- Jay, King & Duncan (2006) surveyed college students punished for swearing as children
- Punishment does not stop children from swearing (can have opposite effect)
- 42% increase
- 15% stayed the same
- 23% decreased
- Punishment has no long-lasting effect
- Still, 77% said children should be punished for cursing