For over 50 years it’s been widely reported that speaking before a group is people’s number one fear. But is it really true? With the help of Dr Karen Kangas Dwyer, a former Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Dr Christopher Bader, Professor of Sociology at Chapman University, Tim Harford tracks the source of the claim back to the 1970’s and explores whether it was true then, and whether it’s true today.

Presenter: Tim Harford

Producer: Debbie RichfordProduction Co-ordinator: Katie MorrisonSeries Producer: Tom CollsSound Mix: Neil ChurchillEditor: Richard Vadon

Picture Credit: vchal via Getty