Of all the real and perceived dangers in the world, which makes you most afraid?

According to the results of a newly published study, Americans’ top fear is walking alone at night — a surprisingly benign threat compared to a terrorist attack or contracting a deadly disease.

Researchers at Chapman University in Southern California say their survey of sixteen-hundred people across the country showed that more respondents fear walking alone at night than any other danger.

Perhaps this fear is linked to a more specific and frightening scenario: becoming a victim of crime. Or maybe it’s just that we never truly do overcome our childhood fear of the dark.

Other scenarios in the list of Americans’ top five fears include having one’s identity stolen, a lack of safety online, being a victim in a mass or random shooting and … this one’s kind of humorous … public speaking.

If you think about it, all of these top five fears relate to everyday life.

For most people, using the Internet is a daily occurrence. We regularly swipe our debit cards to pay at the department store, and customer data theft at major retailers happens regularly. It’s not far-fetched to think the boss or teacher may ask you to speak publicly about a project. Some people can’t help but walk alone at night when they go out. And, sadly, shootings at schools and public places seem increasingly commonplace.

In other words, Americans’ top fears relate to things people think they may actually face.

The scientists also identified three chief factors that may cause some people to be more fearful. Television talk shows and true crime T-V shows are two. Low education levels is the third.

This study provides at least one simple lesson for avoiding fear: turning off the T-V in favor of pursuing education can’t hurt.