Audio Version (06:59)
Public speaking—whether giving a presentation, leading a meeting, or simply voicing an idea—can be a daunting experience for many people.
The fear of standing up in front of a group and speaking out is one of the most common and intense fears. But why does public speaking make us feel so vulnerable, and why do we often experience such intense anxiety about it?
The answer lies in our evolutionary past and the powerful psychological mechanisms that developed to keep our ancestors safe.
To understand why public speaking triggers anxiety, in today’s article, I’m exploring the deep-seated human need for social acceptance and the brain’s response to rejection, perceived or otherwise.
In the extended YouTube version, I also discuss five strategies for overcoming public speaking nerves and some of the top tips I teach delegates during my Presentation Skills corporate training courses. You can watch it here.
The Evolutionary Need for Social Acceptance
Thousands of years ago, our ancestors depended on living in tribes to survive. The tribe provided food, shelter, protection, and social support, all essential for survival in a harsh environment.
If an individual were cast out from the group, their chances of survival would be significantly reduced, leaving them vulnerable to predators, lack of food, and harsh natural conditions.
Because being accepted by the group was vital for survival, evolution favoured individuals sensitive to the threat of social rejection.
Over time, our brains developed a powerful need for social belonging—a mechanism that helped ensure we would conform, cooperate, and maintain positive relationships with others.
This survival-driven need to fit in and be accepted by others still affects us today, even though our lives have changed dramatically.
In modern society, the stakes are no longer life or death, but our brains still interpret social situations that involve potential rejection as threats.
Public speaking puts us in a vulnerable position where others are evaluating us. When we stand in front of a group, we risk making mistakes, stumbling over our words, or being judged negatively by our audience—all scenarios our brains perceive as threats to our social standing and belonging.
Social Rejection and the Pain Response
The anxiety we experience when speaking in public is not just a matter of nerves; it is linked to the way our brain processes social pain.
Research has shown that the same areas of the brain that are activated when we experience physical pain are also activated when we feel the pain of social rejection.
A study by Naomi Eisenberger at UCLA found that the anterior cingulate cortex, a part of the brain’s limbic system that plays a key role in emotional and cognitive control and processing physical pain—also lights up during experiences of social rejection.
This means that when we fear an audience’s judgment or criticism, our brains respond as if experiencing physical pain.
This overlap between physical and social pain explains why the thought of public speaking can be so terrifying. It isn’t just about feeling nervous; it’s about the deep discomfort associated with the possibility of being rejected or negatively evaluated by others.
Our brains perceive this as a threat to our safety, which triggers the fight-or-flight response, causing symptoms like sweating, a racing heart, or even shaking.
As I’ve described in many of my articles and videos, the sudden urge to get away or to go to the bathroom is a symptom of an activated nervous system.
The Fear of Judgment
Public speaking also involves a high degree of visibility. Unlike one-on-one conversations, public speaking puts us in the spotlight, where all eyes are on us.
This visibility can make us hyper-aware of the potential for judgment. We worry about saying the wrong thing, stumbling over our words, or appearing awkward—all of which might lead to negative evaluations from our audience.
This fear of judgment taps into our natural desire to be liked and accepted. The idea that others might judge us harshly can feel like a threat to our social bonds, triggering anxiety and making public speaking feel like a daunting challenge.
This is another throwback to our early ancestors when getting thrown out of the tribe meant certain death. Although we like to think we’re so sophisticated, we’re really not. We still use the old survival mechanisms our earliest ancestors developed to keep them safe and ensure survival!
The Wrap-Up
Our fear of public speaking is deeply rooted in our evolutionary past. It is driven by our need for social acceptance and our sensitivity to rejection.
Our brains are wired to perceive social judgment as a threat, which triggers the same neural responses as physical pain. This makes public speaking feel uncomfortable, intimidating, and even painful.
However, by understanding the underlying reasons for our fear, we can begin to address it more constructively. Reframing our perspective to focus on our audience, normalising our fear, preparing thoroughly, using relaxation techniques, and gradually exposing ourselves to public speaking opportunities are all effective strategies for overcoming anxiety.
Remember, public speaking is a skill that can be learned and improved with practise. The goal isn’t to eliminate fear entirely but to learn to manage and use it to your advantage.
With time, practise, and patience, you can transform your fear of public speaking into a source of empowerment that allows you to share your ideas, connect with others, and make a meaningful impact.
What Next?
Again, in the extended YouTube version, I also discuss five strategies for overcoming public speaking nerves and some of the top tips I teach delegates during my Presentation Skills corporate training courses. You can watch it here.
If there are any subjects you’d like me to cover in upcoming content or if you’d like coaching support with anything I discuss in my videos or articles, please DM or email me at info@jobanks.net.
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As always, thanks for your continued support.