Offensive Language in Prime Time Television: Before and After Content Ratings

Kaye, Barbara K.; Sapolsky, Barry S.

doi:10.1207/s15506878jobem4502_7

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The current study utilized 20 expletives that were selected based on their patently offensive nature and their frequency of occurrence based on prior content analyses of prime-time television programming (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001, 2004a. As the offensiveness of language changes over time 66 SAPOLSKY, SHAFER, KAYE and new usages are developed, additional words could be tested.…”

Section: Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SAPOLSKY, SHAFER, KAYE Academic researchers have monitored the amount and types of indecent language on prime-time television since the early 1990s (Kaye & Fishburne, 1997;Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001, 2004a, 2004b. Profanities were uttered on broadcast prime-time television at the rate of 5.5 times per hour in 1990, 7.3 words per hour in 1994, 4.7 in 1997, 7.6 in 2001, and 9.8 in 2005.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rating Offensive Words in Three Television Program Contexts

Sapolsky

Shafer

Kaye

2010

Mass Communication and Society

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Renewed attention to the use of expletives on television has been spurred by several recent high-profile on-air incidents. This study investigates which words television viewers find most offensive in varying contexts: broadcast TV, cable, and premium channels. Results show significant differences in perceived offensiveness of words depending on the context in which words are heard. Male and female respondents, liberals and conservatives, and Ã In memory of Barry Sapolsky. Our sharp-witted friend and academic guru.

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Section: Suggestions For Future Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Rating Offensive Words in Three Television Program Contexts

Sapolsky

Shafer

Kaye

2010

Mass Communication and Society

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“…The presence of offensive words grew from 1990 to 1994, but declined after the implementation of age-and content-based ratings in 1997 (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001). By 2001 the frequency of offensive language reached a higher level than previous years (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2004).…”

Section: Offensive Language On Televisionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…A series of content analyses (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001 have examined the frequency and types of offensive language spoken in prime time television.…”

Section: Offensive Language On Televisionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Offensive Language Spoken on Morning Radio Programs

Fitzgerald

Sapolsky²,

McClung

2009

Journal of Radio & Audio Media

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A content analysis examined offensive language spoken on popular morning radio programs on the five highest-rated radio stations offering live-streaming audio over the Internet in the top 10 US markets. While concerns over indecency have long existed, renewed interest in the issue of indecency on television and radio was sparked during the 2004 Super Bowl half-time show and, as evident in the 2007 firing of radio personality Don Imus, continues to be of concern today. The purpose of this study was to identify the amount and kind of offensive language spoken on-air. Overall, there were 872 instances of offensive language or 4.36 words spoken per hour. Of these, words classified as mild (words such as ''hell'' and ''damn'') were the largest proportion (40.9%). The bulk of crude language was spoken on Rock and Popular formats. Additionally, broadcasts in the northeast part of the country contained significantly more instances of offensive language.

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“…Although previous media research has examined profanity, much of the focus has been on prime-time TV (Kaye & Sapolsky, 2001, 2004a, 2004bSapolsky & Kaye, 2005). Few SWEARING IN THE CINEMA 121 studies have examined the prevalence of profanity in film.…”

Section: Profanity In Mediamentioning

confidence: 99%

Swearing in the Cinema

Cressman¹,

Callister²,

Robinson³

et al. 2009

Journal of Children and Media

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The exposure of children to profanity continues to be a concern for parents, media researchers, and policy makers alike. This study examines the types, frequency, and usage of profanity in movies directed at and featuring teenagers. A review of relevant literature explores the nature, use, and psychology of profanity, its potential social effects, and its prevalence in the media. A content analysis was conducted of the ninety top-grossing domestic teen films in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s (thirty from each decade) in the US based on domestic gross box-office amounts. Results indicate no change in preferences in types of profanity used over the decades. Teen and adult characters use similar profanity types; however, teens are more likely to use the seven dirty words than adults, whereas adult characters use mild words. Male characters use more profanity than female characters, and although both sexes frequently use mild profanity, females show a higher percentage for this type and males have a higher percentage for using the seven dirty words. Finally, results indicate that within and across rating categories (PG and PG-13), the amount of profanity in teen movies has actually decreased since the 1980s.

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Offensive Language in Prime Time Television: Before and After Content Ratings

Cited by 19 publications

References 6 publications

Rating Offensive Words in Three Television Program Contexts

Rating Offensive Words in Three Television Program Contexts

Offensive Language Spoken on Morning Radio Programs

Swearing in the Cinema

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