math anxiety

Introduction

Math anxiety is a widespread phenomenon characterized by intense emotional reactions to mathematical tasks, which can significantly impact an individual's academic performance and career choices. This condition affects people of all ages and has been linked to both cognitive and emotional factors.

Key Insights

Prevalence and Impact on Education and Career Choices:
- Math anxiety is prevalent among students and can lead to avoidance of math-related courses and careers, particularly in STEM fields .
- It is associated with poor math performance and can influence students' academic and professional trajectories .
Cognitive and Emotional Components:
- Math anxiety disrupts cognitive processing by affecting working memory and attentional control, leading to poor performance in mathematical tasks .
- It involves both negative affective reactions and cognitive worry, with the affective component more strongly related to poor performance .
Neurobiological Mechanisms:
- Math anxiety is linked to hyperactivity in the amygdala, a brain region associated with processing negative emotions, and reduced activity in areas involved in mathematical reasoning .
- Effective connectivity between the amygdala and prefrontal cortex regions, which regulate negative emotions, is elevated in individuals with math anxiety .
Gender Differences and Stereotypes:
- Girls report stronger negative affective reactions to math than boys, and societal stereotypes about gender and math ability can exacerbate math anxiety .
Interventions and Remediation:
- Cognitive tutoring and exposure-based interventions can significantly reduce math anxiety and improve math performance by normalizing brain activity in emotion-related circuits.
- Educational strategies, including changes in teaching styles and increased awareness among teachers and parents, can help mitigate math anxiety .

Conclusion

Math anxiety is a complex issue that affects cognitive processing and emotional well-being, leading to significant educational and professional consequences. It is prevalent across different age groups and is influenced by both individual and environmental factors. Effective interventions, such as cognitive tutoring and changes in educational practices, can help reduce math anxiety and improve outcomes for affected individuals. Addressing math anxiety requires a multifaceted approach that includes understanding its neurobiological underpinnings and implementing targeted educational strategies.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Math anxiety.

Math anxiety is a common issue among college students, and can be overcome by addressing misconceptions and focusing on positive aspects of math learning.

Math Anxiety: Personal, Educational, and Cognitive Consequences

Math anxiety negatively impacts working memory and overall math competence, leading to career barriers and potential risk factors in teaching styles.

Math anxiety in elementary and secondary school students.

Math anxiety in children is characterized by negative affective reactions and cognitive concerns, with girls experiencing stronger negative reactions and higher worry levels than boys.

Math Anxiety

Math anxiety negatively impacts math success and STEM engagement, and educating teachers, parents, and students about its causes, consequences, and potential remedies can improve STEM involvement and achievement.

Remediation of Childhood Math Anxiety and Associated Neural Circuits through Cognitive Tutoring

Intensive 8-week one-to-one cognitive tutoring significantly reduces childhood math anxiety and improves emotional regulation in the amygdala, potentially benefiting early treatment of this disability.

The Neurodevelopmental Basis of Math Anxiety

Math anxiety in children is linked to hyperactivity in the right amygdala and reduced activity in prefrontal cortex regions involved in mathematical reasoning.

Spotlight on math anxiety

Math anxiety is a widespread issue worldwide, with factors like teacher attitudes, societal stereotypes, and personal traits influencing its development and long-term effects.

Avoiding math on a rapid timescale: Emotional responsivity and anxious attention in math anxiety

Math anxiety leads to increased negative emotional reactivity in the amygdala and rapid attentional avoidance when even brief exposure to math problems occurs.

Mathematics Anxiety, Working Memory, and Mathematics Performance in Secondary-School Children

High math anxiety negatively impacts students' mathematics achievement and working memory, while reading and writing skills remain unaffected.

Addressing math anxiety in the classroom

Pre-service teachers have identified strategies to overcome math anxiety, including lack of self-confidence, fear of failure, teaching styles, ineffective learning practices, and student non-engagement.

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