sneeuwbaleffect

Sneeuwbaleffect is the Finnish term for a phenomenon where people get upset or suspicious when experts point out the truth or assert their domain expertise in everyday conversation. This concept is often applied to situations where non-experts ask straightforward questions about scientific or specialized topics, and their concerns are met with an overused phrase: "Don't be ridiculous, it's obvious." The sneeuwbaleffect occurs when a few phrases, often used to dismiss the understanding of individuals who are not familiar with a particular topic, have become default responses that reinforce a distrust of someone expressing an interest in the subject.

Mr. Sisu, a Finnish linguist, coined the term in a blog post addressing the reaction of media towards matters of science and expertise. He noticed when explaining scientific evidence to the public the same standardized phrase had become widespread among journalists to discredit people who spelled science with an S in their discussions of evidence and results.

The Sneeuwbaleffect signifying public distrust is depicted in writing found on Finlands Science blogs and is studied heavily. Academic research into this newly developed area have begun by studying blogs in science – with responses and with a concurrent CFA (Content Function Assessment) values analysis to compare the tone with or without this phenomenon.