'Alternative To Violence'

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 14

'Alternative To Violence '

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 27. Swearing can be very useful and prevent violence, said Dr. C. J. Adcock, senior lecturer in psychology at Victoria University, today. This was the function of swearing—to enable people to be aggressive without violence, he said. Dr. Adcock was commenting on a cable from London stating that a psychologist at Manchester University. Professor John Cohan, believed that “swearing to cope with intolerable situations can be less harmful than bottling it up. nursing grudges, venting anger in blows, or letting it smoulder beneath the surface.”

He had said that swearing was like “letting off steam and could be good for you.” Dr, Adcock said a person who spoke carefully and controlled his language would get more relief from swearing than one who made use of the words in their everyday speech. He would have no resources left to cope with the situation.

There were alternate ways of venting anger, he said. Crying was a natural safety valve, but some people chose to dig in the garden, “kick the cat” or criticise others.

“The fact that it is frowned upon by society makes it all the more useful. Smashing a so-called social rule was

almost as good as breaking furniture.” he said. Dr. Adcock said swearing was quite conventional nowadays. "People don’t realise the meanings of the words today.”