This paper, presented at the eighty-fifth Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, examines the potential contribution of systematic evaluation of mathematics anxiety programs, outlines some important considerations in evaluating these programs, and presents illustrative data concerning the effectiveness of various components…

A Mathematics without Fear program developed at San Francisco State University is reviewed. It seeks to move pupils who fear mathematics from reliance on rules to concept orientation. (MP)

This study investigated the relationship between mathematical performance and mathematics self-efficacy, attitudes toward mathematics, and the choice of mathematics-related majors by college women and men. Performance and self-efficacy correlate positively with attitudes, masculine sex-role orientation, and a mathematics-related major. (Author/DC)

"The Price is Right" ("TPIR") is a rich source of examples of applied probability, combinatorics, and game theory. While some of the games played on stage by individual contestants stress a knowledge of pricing, many are also heavily based on probability. "TPIR" stage games are a treasury of interesting modules that can be effective learning tools…

"The Simpsons" is an ideal source of fun ways to introduce important mathematical concepts, motivate students, and reduce math anxiety. We discuss examples from "The Simpsons" related to calculus, geometry, and number theory that we have incorporated into the classroom. We explore student reactions and educational benefits and difficulties…

Twenty-four computer programs were developed to supplement a course in statistics required of psychology majors. Thirteen are tutorial in nature. The rest provide the user with sample measures and demonstrate solution of a statistical problem (e.g., finding the product-moment correlation). Part of a CAUSE project to increase science literacy and…

A shortened version of the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) was developed. It yielded a coefficient alpha reliability estimated at .98, correlated .97 with the original MARS, and showed relationships with state, trait, and test anxiety parallel to the original MARS. It should be useful for mathematical course-related applications.…

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)

This paper examines the phenomenon of mathematics anxiety in contemporary college and university students. Forms of math anxiety range from moderate test anxiety to extreme anxiety including physiological symptoms such as nausea. For each of several types of math anxiety, one or more case studies is analyzed. Selected strategies for coping with…

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…

Math anxiety is discussed as it affects men, and especially women, and two suggestions are made to help students combat it: creation of special sections for hesitant students at all levels of introductory math; and math clinics for students with immediate or remedial math problems. (JMD)

This paper presents a method of assessing math anxiety based on self-reported descriptors used to evaluate various personality traits in college students. A secondary purpose of the paper is to report the results of applying such an inventory to a group of college mathematics students. (PK)