What does the term "credibility gap" refer to?

The term "credibility gap" refers to the disparity between a speaker's claims and the audience's perception of those claims. This concept is crucial in public speaking because it highlights the importance of establishing trust and reliability with an audience. When a speaker makes assertions or presents arguments, the audience evaluates these based on their existing beliefs, knowledge, and feelings toward the speaker. If the audience perceives a lack of alignment between what the speaker is claiming and what they understand or believe to be true, a credibility gap arises.

This gap can undermine the effectiveness of the speaker's message and hinder their ability to persuade or engage the audience. Therefore, a speaker must work actively to build credibility through research, transparency, and alignment of their statements with factual information and audience values. By closing this gap, a speaker can enhance their persuasiveness and better connect with their audience.