This study reviews relevant literature to clarify the meaning of mathematics anxiety; reports on the field test of an instrument designed to measure anxiety; and analyzes change scores of students enrolled in a preservice elementary mathematics methods course to see if reductions in anxiety were observed. (MP)

This study was designed to identify those females who are predicted to fall substantially below their male counterparts in mathematical participation and performance (female potential underachievers) and who are most in need of intervention procedures early in their college career. (Author/CE)

Discusses a study conducted to determine: (1) the initial attitudes toward mathematics held by students enrolled in first-level required courses; (2) the relationship of those attitudes to variables such as age, sex, and institutional type; and (3) the effect of the attitudes on student learning. (JP)

Presents an attempt to develop an instrument to monitor attitudinal changes towards mathematics among (n=345) preservice student teachers. (54 references) (MKR)

Analysis of covariance of pre- and posttest scores on mathematics anxiety and arithmetic achievement tests of (n=123) college students taught arithmetic using two different instructional approaches (rule oriented versus concept oriented) found a significant difference between the posttest anxiety scores of the two groups. (22 references)…

Surveys of Access Course students and providers at British universities as well as those who inquired about them yielded 1,471 responses. Providers considered math an important qualification, but sizable numbers of students and inquirers saw math as a major barrier to their participation. (SK)

Describes a study of computer experiences and attitudes as well as computer and math anxiety among MBA students. Previous research is reviewed; gender differences are examined; correlations between specific computer experiences and attitudes are considered; and the relationships of experiences and attitudes with grades are discussed. (Contains 52…

Forty-four male and 22 female students attending an early entrance to college program for talented students completed the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale. Results indicate that these talented students are less mathematically anxious than typical college students. Females are more mathematically anxious than males, although the finding is not…

Assesses students in a statistics laboratory of an educational psychology course for mathematics self-concept and mathematics anxiety at the beginning and end of the course. Finds that self-concept improves in a positive learning environment but that anxiety does not decrease. Reports that attitudinal factors are mediated by prior experience in…

Examines whether the variables of age, gender, attitudes toward mathematics, and student type are significantly related to four dimensions of computer attitude: anxiety, confidence, liking, and usefulness. Participants were 351 male and female undergraduate students, in three age groups, enrolled in either developmental or non-developmental…

Previous studies within traditional university settings indicate that a student's mathematics anxiety is directly correlated to previous school mathematics performance, as well as the attitudes developed during those prior mathematics classroom experiences. As a consequence, special programs have been devised at local levels to help students cope…

Statistics courses are often viewed by many college students as impediments to the attainment of a desired degree. It is not uncommon for students to delay taking required statistics courses until just before graduation. Often part of the reason for this is a transferral of a basic anxiety about mathematics to statistics. The objectives of this…

This study investigated the propositions that (1) the expressed preference for formal-deductive style of thinking and mathematics anxiety are negatively correlated; (2) the preferred cognitive style is positively correlated with the respondent's self-assessment of mathematical ability; and (3) those expressing a preference for the analyst style of…

This symposium includes five presentations of studies of mathematics attitudes at three educational levels: junior high, postsecondary, and graduate school. The studies have implications in the fields of mathematics education, educational research, academic advisement, and career counseling. The studies identify the extent of the problem of…

Investigated the effects of assertive training on measures of assertiveness, state anxiety, and mathematics performance in highly anxious ninth graders (N=96). Found that assertive training resulted in increased assertiveness and decreased state anxiety, with no significant effect on mathematics performance, and no significant effect due to sex.…