WHY DOES CURSING MAKE LAUGH? A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH

Year 2024, Volume: 33 Issue: 2, 537 - 548, 20.10.2024

Yusuf Emre , Zeliha Subaşı

https://doi.org/10.35379/cusosbil.1327952

Abstract

Swearing is considered as an unwelcome act since it is deemed impolite to society. However, it is seen that the behaviour swearing has become pravelent in human life. What functions do the taboo words serve in an individual’s life? If swearing is merely an expression of aggression, how and why can it make people laugh? This study aims to understand why the act of swearing produced from taboo words is perceived as amusing by focusing on the relationship between profanity and humor. In this context, it is aimed to determine the role of swearing in human behavior by trying to answer the question of how taboo words are acquired during the developmental process. In addition, the study addresses the functions of swearing in an individual’s life and interactions with others aiming to understand the motivations behind the use of words prohibited by society. Finally, the question of why some swear words are perceived as humorous has been explored through the common denominators between swearing and humor. It was found that swear words serve various functions in human life, one which is generating absurdity and thus opening the door to humor. Subsequently, the study explains the conditions and mechanisms under which an aggressive act such as swearing serves the purpose of entertainment.

Keywords

Psychology, Taboo Words, Cursing, Humor, Funny

KÜFÜR NEDEN GÜLDÜRÜR? PSİKOLOJİK BİR YAKLAŞIM

Abstract

Küfretme, toplum içinde kaba ve nezaketsiz bulunduğu için hoş karşılanmayan bir eylem olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Buna karşın küfretme davranışının yaygın olarak insan hayatında yer edindiği görülmektedir. Bireyin yaşamında yasaklı kelimelerin ne gibi işlevleri vardır? Küfretme davranışı salt bir saldırganlık ifadesiyse nasıl ve neden güldürebilmektedir? İşte bu çalışma küfür ve mizah arasındaki ilişkiyi konu edinerek tabu kelimelerden üretilen küfretme eyleminin komik olarak algılanma nedenini anlamak istemektedir. Bu doğrultuda öncelikle yasaklı kelimelerin gelişimsel süreçte nasıl edinildiği sorusu cevaplanmaya çalışılarak küfretmenin insan davranışlarındaki yeri belirlenmek istenmiştir. Ayrıca küfretmenin bireyin hayatındaki ve diğer insanlarla etkileşimindeki işlevlerine temas edilmiş, toplum tarafından yasaklanan kelimelerin kullanılma motivasyonları anlaşılmaya çalışılmıştır. Küfürlü sözlerin bazılarının neden komik olarak algılandığı sorusuna küfür ile mizah arasındaki ortak paydalar üzerinden yanıt aranmıştır. Bu süreçte küfür kelimelerinin insan hayatında çeşitli işlevler üstlendiği, bu işlevlerden birinin de tuhaflık üretip mizaha kapı aralamak olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Devamında küfür gibi saldırgan bir eylemin eğlenme amacına hangi şartlarda ve nasıl hizmet ettiği açıklanmıştır.

Keywords

Psikoloji, Tabu Kelimeler, Küfretmek, Mizah, Komik

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