Jargon is often one of the more frustrating elements of the modern workplace, but it can play a crucial role in communicating effectively within narrow groupings.  Indeed, the very definition of jargon is the use of language that is common in particular groups, with this common language helping to ease communication within those groups, but that is often impenetrable to those outside it.

While it might be tempting to think of jargon as something used to convey status and expertise within the group, new research from Columbia Business School suggests that it’s actually more commonly used by people with low status in the group, for whom the use of jargon is a means of compensating for their lowly position.

For instance, in one experiment, MBA students were asked to compete in a startup pitch competition. They were given two distinct descriptions of the startup they could submit, the first of which was full of jargon, whereas the second was in more plain English.

Some of the participants were conditioned to think of themselves as low-status individuals by being led to believe that their rivals in the competition were experienced entrepreneurs, whereas others were led to believe that their rivals were mere undergraduates. The results revealed that 41% of those in the low-status group used the jargon-laden description, versus just 29% who thought they were in the high-status group.

A second experiment placed volunteers into a scenario whereby they were presenting their academic work at a conference.  Each was given a precis of their work, with the description containing both jargon and also a plain English explanation of that jargon.  As before, some of the volunteers were told they worked at a small community college to condition them towards low status, whereas others were told they worked at an Ivy League university.  As before, those in the low-status condition tended to use far more jargon than their peers in the high-status group.

Raising status

To try and understand why jargon appeared to be used to try and elevate one’s status, the researchers conducted a fresh experiment.  Once again, participants were condition to think of themselves as either low- or high-status before choosing one of two titles for an upcoming presentation.  This time, they were also asked to explain their decision.

Those in the low-status group explained that they were focusing more on how the audience might judge them, which is why they chose the jargon-filled version.

So it seems that jargon is most frequently used by those who wish, or feel the need, to compensate for a lack of status.  While this isn’t the entire answer as to our use of jargon, it is perhaps something to keep in mind when we wish to communicate clearly.