As the technological revolution continues, there is an increased emphasis on mathematics and science. Many people feel that there are significant gender differences in both attitudes toward, and achievement in, these subjects. This study examined some of the attitudes toward mathematics and achievement in mathematics as measured by the 1977-78 and…

This publication contains seven papers by the staff of the University of Exeter School of Education and by invited outside contributors. The focus is on issues that consider the social context of mathematics. The papers are: (1) "Images of Mathematics" (Leone Burton); (2) "Of Course You Could be an Engineer, Dear, but Wouldn't You…

Achievement attributions of adolescent females in the masculine domain of mathematics were investigated in relation to self-schemas for gender, expectancy of success, and mathematics achievement. The most important findings revealed by multiple regression analysis were that mathematics achievement and the self-schema for masculinity predicted…

Sixty subjects, 30 males and 30 females, grades 7-9, were given an estimation and comparison mathematics test consisting of high and low difficulty level problems. Performances as measured by total error scores were compared as functions of sex and anxiety separately for high and low difficulty problems. There was a significant main effect of…

The superiority of males in mathematics achievement from grades eight through college is evident, and the following causes of sex differences in mathematics achievement are considered in the paper: spatial ability, enrollment in mathematics courses, social factors, anxiety, attitudes, and developmental differences between the sexes. Alleviating…

Presented are the following reports: (1) Math Anxiety: Real and Complex; (2) Math Anxiety and Middle School Students; (3) Math Anxiety and College Freshmen; (4) Math Anxiety and Elementary Teachers; and (5) Math Anxiety: Conclusions, Discussions, and Remedies. The studies attempt to answer questions regarding mathematics anxiety: (1) what is it,…

A study involving 441 students enrolled in pre-calculus mathematics courses at Black Hawk College, Illinois, during Spring 1981 was conducted to measure the correlation between the level of students' math anxiety and four independent variables: sex, age, math background (as measured by the highest level of math course previously completed), and…

A systematic study is reported of the mathematical skills and learning abilities of new students immediately prior to entry into the Open University's (England) foundation courses in technology and social sciences. The intent was to provide predictive information about potential student entry skills for the team preparing a new technology…

Investigated the association of field-dependent/independent cognitive style with mathematics anxiety, using mathematics scores of 481 secondary students. Indicated that field-dependent learners experienced more mathematics anxiety than did field-independent learners. Found significant interactions between sex and cognitive style and between…

Reports on a study that was designed to investigate possible effects of inservice instruction (BASIC and LOGO/PILOT) on teachers' mathematical anxiety. Results indicated that teachers enrolled in BASIC programing courses manifested more mathematics anxiety after the course than those who were enrolled in a LOGO/PILOT course. (ML)

This study examined the effectiveness of a methods course in the reduction of mathematics anxiety levels among three groups of preservice teachers majoring in elementary education. The sample included 61 novices enrolled in a course entitled Mathematics for the Young Child. This methods course utilized concrete manipulatives and active learning…

The framework of the new British Columbia mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7 includes willingness to take risks and expanded tolerance of ambiguity as goals of mathematics learning. Two projects in Victoria (British Columbia) elementary schools explored ways to promote positive student attitudes toward mathematical tasks and problem solving.…

Used path analysis to examine effects of spatial skill, math anxiety, and math self-confidence as mediators of gender differences in Mathematics Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M) in upper third of college-bound adolescents. Found that mental rotation and math self-confidence indirectly mediated the gender-SAT-M relationship. Most of the mediational…

Describes studies involving students sponsored by A Better Chance, Inc. (ABC), a nonprofit search and referral service that identifies and places talented minority inner-city children. Results indicate that standardized tests do not necessarily predict ABC student success, and that ABC students can be productively directed toward mathematics and…

Investigated the relationships among mathematics achievement, affect, and home background for Hong Kong students (n=1766) in grades 7-13. Achievement was most closely related to academic and nonacademic self-concepts and attitudes toward mathematics, and the latter was most influenced by self- and parental expectations. (LDR)