Psychology Faculty

Dr. Timothy Jay, Professor

About

Dr. Jay began teaching at MCLA shortly after earning his doctorate in Cognitive Psychology at Kent State University 1976. Dr. Jay teaches Introduction to Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Human Communication and Perception, Environmental Psychology, and Language and Censorship. He is the recipient of several distinguished teaching awards.

A world-renowned expert in cursing, Dr. Jay maintains an active schedule of research, writing and speaking. He has published numerous books and chapters on cursing, and recently published a textbook for Prentice Hall on The Psychology of Language. Dr. Jay works closely with undergraduates on empirical research projects, and he and his students have presented their work at numerous conferences including meetings of the Association for Psychological Science, Eastern Psychological Association, New England Psychological Association.

Dr. Jay is frequently sought for his expertise on psycholinguistics. He has served as a consultant to a number of school systems, and has been an expert witness in legal cases pertaining to obscenity and censorship. Furthermore, Dr. Jay has been interviewed or featured in dozens of radio shows, televisions programs, and documentary films.

Media:

Interview with Tim Jay on The Best of Our Knowledge , WAMC Radio Interview #842: Children, the FCC, and taboo language.

Interview with Tim Jay on This American Life Episode 267 Ira talks with Dr Timothy Jay, author of Cursing in America and Why We Curse, and John Cody, legal aide to FCC Chairman Michael Powell. Read the fascinating landmark FCC decision that's changing the rules, and the ACLU's Petition for Reconsideration. (29 minutes)

Interview with Tim Jay on RadioWest 8/4/06: Why We Curse - The moment Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" let "F dash dash dash" fly in front of his father, he knew his life was over. "What would it be? The guillotine? Hanging? The chair? The rack? The Chinese water torture? Hmmph. Mere child's play compared to what surely awaited me." Words have power, and indeed, not all words are created equal. From our parents and teachers to the FCC, certain norms are expected. But why do we curse and why is it that sometimes, no other word will do? Doug Fabrizio talks to psychologist Timothy Jay and language expert Richard Lederer.

Online Article for Beliefnet.com
Swearing and the Soul
If Americans now see 'M-----f-----g' as the new 'darn', what does it reveal about our spiritual health?

Books in Print

CURSING IN AMERICA (1992) The first serious examination of profanity from a psychological and linguistic point of view. John Benjamins Pub Co (1-800-562-5666). www.benjamins.com

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR STUDENTS TALK DIRTY (1996)- a guide to help teachers and parents understand and deal with children's offensive language. Resource Publications Inc www.rpinet.com

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR KIDS TALK DIRTY (1998) - a guide for parents and caregivers to help them cope with offensive language at home. Resource Publications Inc (1-888-273-7782) www.rpinet.com

WHY WE CURSE (2000) - a neuro-psycho-social theory of speech. John Benjamins Pub Co (1-800-562-5666). www.benjamins.com

The Psychology of Language (2003) - Prentice Hall For junior/senior-level courses in Psycholinguistics and The Psychology of Language. A comprehensive survey of classic and cutting edge research, this text shows how people comprehend, produce, and acquire language - and represents how powerful language processes are, and the importance of language in everyday life. It looks at emotional aspects of language processing in social contexts, and extends beyond the usual emphasis on structural aspects of language to include pragmatic and functional forces -demonstrating not just "what language is but also what language does."

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Jay, T. (2009) Do Words Harm? 

Jay, T. (2009) The Utility and Ubiquity of Taboo Words 

Jay, T. & Janschewitz, K. (2008) The Pragmatics of Swearing

Jay, T., Caldwell-Harris, C. & King, K. (2008) Recalling taboo and nontaboo words

Jay, T. & Janschewitz, K. (2007). Filling the emotion gap in linguistic theory: Commentary on Potts' expressive dimension

Jay, T., King, K., & Duncan, T. (2006). Memory of punishment for cursing. Sex Roles.

Jay, T. (2005) American Women: Their Cursing Habits and Religiosity

Jay, T., (1981). Comprehending dirty-word descriptions.

Jay, T., (1980). Sex roles and dirty word usage: A review of the literature and a reply to Haas.Sex

Upcoming Speaking Events 

Monday, April 19th, 2010 at Saint Lawrence University

Workshops

Lively and interactive 1, 2 or 4-hour workshops designed to help teachers and parents solve problems caused by children's cursing. College credits and professional development credits are available.

Contact
Bowman 214B | 413-662-5466 | Email Tim Jay