What is the fear of public speaking often referred to as?

The fear of public speaking is often referred to as communication apprehension. This term specifically captures the anxiety or fear experienced when anticipating or engaging in communication activities, particularly in front of an audience. Communication apprehension can manifest in various contexts but is especially prevalent in situations involving public speaking, where individuals may fear judgment or evaluation by others. This overarching concept encompasses the emotional and psychological barriers that many face in their communication endeavors.

While social anxiety is a broader term that describes the fear of social situations in general, communication apprehension zeroes in on communication-related contexts. Similarly, trait anxiety refers to a person's general tendency to experience anxiety across various situations, making it a broader construct than what's specifically at play in public speaking scenarios. Performance anxiety, while related, typically refers to anxiety experienced during the act of performing – such as acting, singing, or speaking – whereas communication apprehension is more about the anticipation leading up to those moments. Hence, communication apprehension is the most precise term for the fear associated with public speaking.