A chronology of the development of a mathematics anxiety scale is given. Included are a model describing six facets of mathematics anxiety and the eighteen items used on the anxiety scale. Stability and internal consistency measures are reported, and the scale is correlated with measures of mathematical confidence and general anxiety towards…

In the attempt to account for striking differences between learning activities of immigrant mathematics students from the former Soviet Union and of their native Israeli classmates, the authors introduce the notions of "actual" and "designated identities." These identities are subsequently presented as important factors that…

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)

Anxiety is viewed as a learned response from a negative experience, and teachers are encouraged to work with students in a sensitive, understanding, and encouraging manner. (MP)

This study's purposes were to test causal attribution theory in the masculine typed, content-specific task domain of mathematics and examine the effects of level of mathematics achievement, sex, and the interaction level of achievement and sex on attribution patterns. (MP)

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)…

Possible reasons for the imbalance between men and women pursuing careers in science are discussed--disparity in cognitive abilities, personality characteristics, attitudes toward science, differences between in-school and out-of-school experiences, and gender differences in mathematics preparation. The implications for preparation of teachers of…

Discusses the concept of symmetrisation--the mental process in which individuals are not able to distinguish separate entities--in relation to students freezing before a mathematics problem. Examines whether the development of the concepts of fraction and equation in two mathematics textbooks addresses the problem of symmetrisation. (MDH)

Describes math anxiety, explaining roadblocks to mathematics success; discussing strategies for overcoming anxiety (e.g., parent involvement, teacher sensitivity, and peer tutoring); and examining the influence of learning styles on mathematics achievement and attitudes. Mathematics teachers must identify students' problems in mathematics, work…

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…

The researcher in this study theorized that preservice elementary teachers who had taken a semester-long mathematics course emphasizing a constructivist approach to instruction would realize a decreased level of math anxiety and gains in perceived teaching efficacy and autonomy over those who had taken a teacher-centered course based on a more…

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…