Math Anxiety in Fundamentals of Algebra Students Page: 4
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Math Anxiety: 4
II. State of Research
Compared to other academic fields, research in math anxiety is fairly limited. Even so,
there are several main ideas that resonate. Throughout my research, the existence of math
anxiety is not disputed. Arem (1993), Green (1990), Tobias (1987) and Hilton (1980) all agree
that mathematics anxiety is prevalent and inhibits acquisition of math skills and knowledge.
Lead authors have a specific means of identifying this inhibitor. Arem (1993), a psychologist
goes through a list of common characteristics shared by math anxiety sufferers as well as free
response questioning. Green (1990) uses a series of true-false written tests. Tobias (1987)
leaves diagnosis up to the reader, and Hilton (1980) seems to assume that all students will at
some point or another experience math anxiety.
Hilton directly blames "bad teaching, bad texts, and bad educational instruments" (Hilton
1980, 176) for math anxiety. Ma's (1999) studies indicated that teachers very possibly lack the
knowledge and background to effectively teach the subject. Less simply, Arem (1993), using her
psychology background, spends an entire chapter identifying specific causes for math anxiety for
each individual by going through a backtracking thought process exercise. Tobias (1987)
describes several causes for math anxiety, some of which include a preconceived notion that the
student is incapable, classroom style, and emotions. Zull (2002) elaborates on the emotional and
chemical changes that occur in the brain during learning and testing. In his study, Green does
not personally study causes of math anxiety, but instead relies on a very detailed literature review
for proof of the existence of math anxiety and a series of causes for math anxiety. Math anxiety
is a learned behavior, not a disorder (Selvin). "Kids enter first grades with math as one of their
favorite subjects, but by the end of elementary school, math is on the hit list" (Selvin, 1200).
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Draznin, Sara. Math Anxiety in Fundamentals of Algebra Students, thesis or dissertation, Spring 2008; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc146542/m1/4/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Honors College.