What are the most common fears and phobias that people have today? Most of us can relate to having a healthy fear of sharks or getting sweaty palms at the idea of being stuck in a tiny space. It’s also pretty socially acceptable for someone to opt out of bungee jumping, or for a fellow aeroplane passenger to need a few deep breaths to calm themselves before takeoff. 

 

Then of course there’s the fear of public speaking - which we all fear more than death, right? Maybe not… This claim seems to link back to a publication from 1977 called The Book of Lists, which in turn cites the London Times… which in turn references the 1973 Burskin Report. This claims that 41 per cent of people feared speaking before a group, whereas only 19 per cent feared death. 

 

But is it really true? 

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 The fear of public speaking
• 05:29 Defining fear and phobia
• 10:24 Research findings: 1977 Book of Lists 
• 13:04 The fear of heights and deep water
• 15:29 Top 10 Fears in America
• 16:31 White Supremacists and High Medical Bills
• 18:02 Fear of Ghosts and Zombies
• 20:49 Australia’s fears: Social Phobias and Agoraphobia
• 22:22 Fear of Swooping Magpies
• 26:26 The Boring Apocalypse
• 28:28 What’s next on the Wholesome Show

 

PREVIOUS EPISODES MENTIONED:

• Mary Shelley, Taphophobia and Life-Preserving Coffins

 

SOURCES:

• Solomon, Robert C., 'Self-Reproach in Guilt, Shame, and Pride', True to Our Feelings: What Our Emotions Are Really Telling Us (2008; online edn, Oxford Academic, 3 Oct. 2011) 
• The 14 Worst Human Fears in the 1977 Book of Lists: where did this data really come from?
• https://www.speakschmeak.com/2008/04/public-speaking-vs-death.html
• Top 10 Most Common Phobias List — Talkspace
• Top 10 phobias and what they reveal about the strangeness of life | Mental health | The Guardian
• America's Top Fears 2020/2021 | Chapman University
• Phobias: The ten most common fears people hold - ABC News
• Is Public Speaking Really More Feared Than Death?.
• Full article: Is Public Speaking Really More Feared Than Death?
• The Thing We Fear More Than Death | Psychology Today Australia

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