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Flemington, NJ, March 30, 2010 – A new media study among 286 viewers of a video clip featuring Joe Biden using profanity during the signing of the health care reform plan revealed that viewers’ perceptions of people who use profanity differ by gender and level of religious devotion.
The study was conducted during March 25-26 by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website, to obtain viewers’ perceptions of a video clip in which Joe Biden curses after introducing President Obama during a signing ceremony for the new health care reform plan.
While more than half of women (58%) reported that they had a more negative perception of a person using profanity, less than half of men (52%) reported having a more negative perception of people who use profanity. Respondents who reported being extremely religious indicated that they have a more negative perception of people who use profanity, compared to respondents who indicated that they are not religious. In addition, cursing was viewed as least appropriate for religious figures, out of a list of six high-profile professions.
Among the findings:
Does hearing someone use profanity influence your perceptions of them?
|
|
Men |
Women |
|
Yes, I have a more positive perception of that person |
4% |
3% |
|
Yes, I have a more negative perception of that person |
52% |
58% |
|
No, my opinion of that person is not changed. |
44% |
40% |
Does hearing someone use profanity influence your perceptions of them?
|
|
Extremely religious |
Religious |
Somewhat religious |
Not at all religious |
|
Yes, I have a more positive perception of that person |
12% |
4% |
1% |
3% |
|
Yes, I have a more negative perception of that person |
77% |
60% |
60% |
36% |
|
No, my opinion of that person is not changed. |
12% |
36% |
39% |
61% |
Please rate how appropriate it is for the following people to use profanity or curse in public, where 1 represents “Not at all appropriate” and 7 represents “Extremely appropriate.”
|
|
Mean |
|
Musicians |
3.1 |
|
Actors |
2.9 |
|
Celebrities |
2.8 |
|
Politicians |
2.1 |
|
Company CEOs |
2.1 |
|
Religious Figures |
1.6 |
