According to researchers, hearing profanity “can start a downward slide toward more aggressive behavior.”

Over the years, multiple studies (HERE, HERE and HERE, for example) have established a link between watching violent scenes in media and increased aggression levels. A new study in the medical journal Pediatrics suggests that profanity in the media may have a similar effect.

The study, done at Brigham Young University, appears to be the first to examine the impact of profanity in the media, which sounds surprising considering how central language is to movie and TV ratings.

Exposure to profanity is associated with acceptance and use of profanity, which in turn influence both physical and relational aggression.

“On the whole, it’s a moderate effect.” said Coyne, lead author of the study. “We even ran the statistical model the opposite way to test if the violent kids used more profanity and then sought it out in the media, but the first path we took was a much better statistical fit even when we tried other explanations.”

Brad Bushman, a media expert at Ohio State University (not involved with the study) agreed after reviewing the research. “This research shows that profanity is not harmless,” said Bushman, a mass communications professor. “Children exposed to profanity in the media think that such language is ‘normal,’ which may reduce their inhibitions about using profanity themselves. And children who use profanity are more likely to aggress against others. These are very important findings for parents, teachers, and pediatricians.”

“Profanity is kind of like a stepping stone,” Coyne said. “You don’t go to a movie, hear a bad word, and then go shoot somebody. But when youth both hear and then try profanity out for themselves it can start a downward slide toward more aggressive behavior.”

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The above story contains original content and information editorially adapted by The Healthy Mind staff from materials provided by Brigham Young University and EurekAlerts!