January 5, 2026 New research led by psychologists from Keele University and The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has found that swearing can enhance physical performance and self-confidence by freeing people psychologically to “not hold back.” The study, recently published in American Psychologist, a prestigious journal of the American Psychological Association, offers the strongest evidence yet that swearing boosts performance by promoting a temporary state of disinhibition—a loosening of self-restraint that allows individuals to act more freely, confidently, and with sharper focus. The international research team was led by Dr. Richard Stephens, senior lecturer in psychology at Keele University and expert on emotional language, in collaboration with Nick Washmuth, a first-year doctoral student in UAH’s Department of Psychology, along with Keele researchers Harry Dowber and Chris Richardson. “In many situations, people tend to hold themselves back—they hesitate, overthink, or doubt themselves,” said Washmuth. “Our research shows that swearing can help disrupt that self-limiting mindset. Swearing helps people ‘go for it’ by increasing focus, flow, and self-confidence.” The study, titled “Don’t Hold Back: Swearing Improves Strength Through State Disinhibition”, had participants complete a chair push-up task, lifting themselves off a chair using only their arms for as long as possible, while either repeating a swear word or a neutral word. Participants performed significantly better in the swearing condition, and it was also found that swearing increased psychological flow, self-confidence, and focus, which mediated the performance boost. These findings could have practical implications in sports performance, physical rehabilitation, and other situations that require overcoming hesitation or mental barriers. According to the researchers, swearing may serve as a simple, accessible psychological “warm-up” that helps individuals reach peak performance. For more information on the Department of Psychology and the Applied Experimental Psychology program (Ph.D.), please visit uah.edu/psychology.