There was a somewhat famous study done (damn google and the plethora of useless information, no cite, sorry) where scientists asked people what they were most afraid of rather than actually testing people via some kind of simulated experience. So really all it tells us is that most people will say they are more afraid of public speaking than spiders, but I’m guessing when actually given the choice everyone will go with public speaking no matter how terrified. Death is kind of final that way.