Six features of a traditional mathematics curriculum that help establish math avoidance are discussed. Math avoidance is viewed as a natural reaction to so much of the experience of the student in situations euphemistically described as the learning of mathematics. (Author/MK)

Women tend to subscribe to a belief that they are less inclined than males to handle numbers, logic, or problem-solving tasks. Upward mobility in occupations is seen to be dependent on math. A list of math anxiety, math avoidance, and math reentry programs given around the country is provided. (MLW)

Reviewing research relating mathematical achievement to gender, the authors argue that remedies for math anxiety need to be evaluated and new techniques devised that are most closely linked to theories of learning. They maintain that proper techniques can be effective in reversing female underachievement and preventing math avoidance. (Author/SK)

Analyzes students' productions, taking affective and social factors into account. Uses the technique of virtual monologue to reproduce the student's voice in order to describe as vividly as possible what might be going on in the student's mind during such situations. (AIM)

Until age 11 or 12 children haven't reached the stage of abstract reasoning, therefore explanations of math concepts need a concrete, hands-on focus. Several learning activities, rooted in real life situations, are suggested to parents to help children understand math concepts; thereby easing anxiety and promoting enjoyment of math. (IAH)

Among 852 Finnish high school students (20% academic, 80% vocational), those whose math study orientation style was confidence had higher math achievement. Those whose style was coping or anxiety tended toward lower achievement. Electrical engineering and business students were most confident, academic and handicrafts students least. (SK)

Evaluation of 95 students in grades 3 and 6 on measures of mathematics anxiety, test anxiety, and attitudes toward mathematics found that test and problem-solving anxiety took 2 distinct forms. Mathematics test anxiety increased with age relative to problem-solving anxiety. (SLD)

Presents eleven open-ended questions used to address students' beliefs about mathematics that were culled from a wide variety of mathematics education populations. Each question is followed by a summary of typical responses from those populations that can help teachers plan instruction and structure the classroom environment. (JJK)

A discussion of mathematics anxiety and learned helplessness in mathematics focuses on student failure and avoidance in college mathematics learning. It explores possible causes and suggests classroom activities to foster students' interest and success. (MSE)

The crisis confronting calculus and mathematics education generally results from a number of failed assumptions implicit in the dominant lecture-homework-exam methodology used in teaching mathematics. Positive resolution of this crisis can be found in adopting a noncompetitive, collaborative approach to mathematics education. (Author)

Surveyed Canadian high school students to note differences by gender in attitudes toward mathematics. Results indicated that for both genders, certain variables associated with mathematics success deteriorated as adolescence progressed. Younger girls experienced more mathematics anxiety and considered themselves less competent, but many such…

Describes an Australian distance education remedial mathematics course, which was designed to address issues associated with math anxiety and poor self-concept in regard to mathematics abilities. Concludes that online learning can offer improved opportunities for timid and male students, equal opportunity for others. (Contains 18 references.) (NB)

This exploratory study investigates the level of mathematics anxiety among 116 high ability Secondary Two students. These students were from the top 10% of the Secondary Two students in Singapore. Mathematics Anxiety was measured using the Fennema-Sherman Mathematics Anxiety Scale (MAS) (Fennema & Sherman, 1978) which consisted of twelve items…

The authors analyzed the domain specificity of emotions and focused on experiences of enjoyment, anxiety, and boredom in the domains of mathematics, Latin, German, and English. On the basis of assumptions in R. Pekrun's (2000; in press) control-value theory and findings of pilot studies, the authors hypothesized the existence of a largely…

According to social cognitive theorists, people's judgments of their own capabilities to accomplish specific tasks strongly influence human motivation and behavior. Path analysis was used to test the influence of math self-efficacy and general mental ability on the math problem-solving performance of 329 high school students. A model that also…