Perceptions of Swearing in the Work Setting: An Expectancy Violations Theory Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates perceptions of swearing from an expectancy violations perspective. Degree of expectancy violation is hypothesized to depend on several communicator, relationship, contextual, and message characteristics. Results support that expectancy violations are related to the formality of the situation in which swearing occurs and the specific swearing phrase. No support is found for swearer's sex or status as predictors of expectancy violations. Hearer's degree of surprise perceived is associated with perceptions that the speaker is incompetent. These results support the usefulness of expectancy violations theory as an explanation for perceptions of swearing.

Keywords:

• Communication Competence
• Interpersonal Communication
• Swearing
• Workplace Interaction

An earlier version of this manuscript was presented at the 2009 Eastern Communication Association Annual Meeting.

Notes

Note. Standard deviations appear in parentheses after each mean. Higher means indicate greater surprise. Common subscripts appear when swearing expressions do not significantly differ from one another.

**p < .01.

Note. Standard deviations appear in parentheses. Higher scores reflect perceptions of greater speaker incompetence.

Note. Correlations in parentheses are corrected for attenuation. Speaker incompetence was coded so that higher scores indicate greater incompetence.

**p < .01.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Danette Ifert Johnson

Danette Ifert Johnson is Professor of Speech Communication in the Department of Communication, Ithaca College.

Nicole Lewis

Nicole Lewis is a 2009 graduate of Ithaca College who is presently employeed by IBM.