Expert Communication Styles for Trust Formation in Legislative Hearing Settings: Field Study

Abstract

The interaction between domain experts and policymakers within legislative hearing settings serves as a critical juncture in the formulation of evidence-based public policy. Despite the growing reliance on scientific and technical expertise in modern governance, the precise mechanisms through which experts construct and convey their testimonies, and how these communication styles influence the formation of trust among legislators, remain underexplored in empirical field settings. This study presents a comprehensive field investigation into the communication strategies deployed by experts during legislative hearings and their subsequent impact on policymaker trust. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines direct observation of legislative proceedings, linguistic analysis of testimony transcripts, and post-hearing interviews with committee members, this research systematically categorizes expert communication into distinct stylistic typologies. The analysis reveals that highly technical communication, characterized by dense jargon and abstract data presentation, often inadvertently diminishes both cognitive and affective trust among legislators. Conversely, communication styles that effectively integrate analogical reasoning, clear narrative structures, and accessible language significantly enhance perceived credibility and facilitate stronger trust formation. Furthermore, the findings indicate that the institutional affiliation of the expert interacts with their communication style to produce varying trajectories of epistemic reliance. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on science communication in political environments and offer practical implications for experts seeking to optimize their advisory roles in legislative contexts.