When scientists and others use their specialized jargon terms while communicating with the general public, the effects are much worse than just making what they’re saying hard to understand. In a new study, people exposed to jargon when reading about subjects like self-driving cars and surgical robots later said they were less interested in science than others who read about the same topics, but without the use of specialized terms.

In a new study, people exposed to jargon when reading about subjects like self-driving cars and surgical robots later said they were less interested in science than others who read about the same topics, but without the use of specialized terms.

They were also less likely to think they were good at science, felt less informed about science and felt less qualified to discuss science topics.

Crucially, it made no difference if the jargon terms — like «vigilance decrement» and «laparoscopy» — were defined in the text: Even when the terms were defined, readers still felt just as disengaged as readers who read jargon that wasn’t explained.

The problem is that the mere presence of jargon sends a discouraging message to readers, said Hillary Shulman, lead author of the study and assistant professor of communication at The Ohio State University.

«The use of difficult, specialized words are a signal that tells people that they don’t belong,» Shulman said.

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Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Jeff Grabmeier. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.