A study examined the relationship between math anxiety and selected demographic characteristics. Surveys were administered to 1,152 students in vocational-technical and comprehensive schools in 13 New Jersey school districts. The survey instrument included an attitude scale and a brief math test designed to evoke feelings of math anxiety in…

One of four research projects designed to examine barriers to the entrance of women into the workforce, the study described in this bulletin examined the feelings of math in students in single parent and nontraditional career preparation programs in relation to selected demographic characteristics. Survey instruments consisting of a brief math…

The present investigation examined the content specificity of math and English anxieties, tested the generality of predictions from the internal/external (I/E) frame of reference model to anxiety responses, and studied sex differences in anxiety responses. Structural equation models, using LISREL, were fit to data from the High School and Beyond…

A large body of research literature has indicated that parents exert a strong influence on their children's development of achievement attitudes. It is suggested that children's beliefs about achievement appear to be related to parents' expectations about their childrens' achievement but not to parent's attitudes regarding their own abilities and…

This book, written primarily for college students who feel uncomfortable with mathematics, attempts to provide its readers with new ways of thinking about mathematics, reading mathematics, studying mathematics, talking the language of mathematics and appreciating the power of using mathematics. Chapter 1 deals directly with the problem of math…

Students enrolled in four classes in mathematics at a predominantly black, urban community college were subjects of a research study designed to identify their attitudes toward mathematics, test these attitudes with various correlates, identify possible factors responsible for developing negative attitudes toward mathematics, and make…

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that mathematics-related self-efficacy mediates the effects of gender and mathematical preparation and achievement on mathematics-relatedness of college major. The responses of 117 undergraduates to a series of inventories and questionnaires yielded seven variables descriptive of the…

This paper, presented at the 1979 meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), focuses on curricular interventions which have been used by the University of Minnesota to reduce mathematics anxiety among adults. It summarizes four approaches for dealing with the problem and describes the model used by the Math Anxiety Program of…

Discusses confidence in learning math, anxiety, attributions of success and failure, and perceived usefulness of mathematics for both elementary and secondary samples. Three models for research are presented, and directions for future research are discussed. (RH)

In this paper we will concentrate on pupils' self-confidence in mathematics, which belongs to pupils' mathematical beliefs in themselves, and beliefs on achievement in mathematics. Research described consists of a survey of more than 3000 fifth-graders and seventh-graders. Furthermore, 40 pupils participated in a qualitative follow-up study…

Designed as a reference for teaching mathematics in the workplace, this manual presents teaching strategies and activities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced learners in four mathematics-related topics. Following an overview of the manual's purpose, definitions are provided of the three skill levels targeted by the activities. Strategies…

The relationship between several individual difference variables and test performance using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) was studied with 208 South Korean college students. The general individual difference variable selected was test anxiety, and the math-related individual difference variables were mathematics aptitude, math test anxiety,…

This report reviews responses of students to the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS). Anxiety in English is contrasted with mathematics, and changes in teaching are suggested. (MP)

Analyzes factors influencing mathematics attitudes among 543 south Texas Mexican-American university students, tested for factors connoting fear and enjoyment. Survey results show ability, quality of preparation, college credits, and perceived importance of mathematics to be major determinants of math attitudes. No evidence linking ethnic or…

Summarizes several findings from review studies conducted on students' attitudes to mathematics. Suggests the methods to improve students' attitudes. Lists 26 references. (YP)