Analysis of the university careers of students who are training to become primary school teachers has shown that a certain number have real difficulty in passing examinations in the scientific and methodological fields. This paper uses both objective and subjective data to analyse the levels of competence in this cultural field, and the propensity towards certain disciplines. Competence in scientific subjects among these students varies considerably, but the greatest concern is a widespread negative attitude towards the quantitative sciences. To transform this approach the way in which these are taught to future teachers requires considerable improvement, by means of projects and programs which take into consideration awareness of this background, that is the attitude of "fighting shy", from both cognitive and affective viewpoints. (Contains 6 tables, 5 figures, and 6 notes.)