The Role of Bleeps and Warnings in Viewers' Perceptions of On-Air Cursing

This study used a 2 x 2 X 2 design to examine the effects of warning labels, bleeping, and gender on viewers' perceptions and enjoyment of a docudrama. We also examined the individual difference variable of verbal aggressiveness to test for possible interactions. Overall, the warning labels increased enjoyment of the program containing profanity among college students. Bleeping had no effect on either program liking or perceptions of realism; however, bleeping decreased perceptions of the program's offensiveness, and increased viewers' perceptions of profanity frequently estimates. Lastly, verbally aggressive participants perceived the program as more realistic, and the language as less offensive