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Learning Theory and Concepts

Mathematical Anxiety

Motivation and Affective Theories

Mathematical anxiety, also known as math phobia or math anxiety, is a feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with a person's ability to manipulate numbers and solve mathematical problems in daily life and academic settings. It is a phenomenon frequently considered when examining students' difficulties in mathematics, is often linked to testing anxiety, and can produce overall distress along with a dislike and avoidance of math related tasks.

Facts
Core Claim
Mathematical anxiety, also known as math phobia and math anxiety, is a feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in daily life and academic situations. 1
Origin Year
1957 2
FAQs

When did researchers first start studying anxiety about numbers?

Dreger and Aiken introduced the concept of number anxiety in 1957.

The study of mathematics anxiety goes back at least to 1957, when Dreger and Aiken introduced the concept of number anxiety. Research on the topic has grown considerably in the decades since.
Sources
1. Mathematical anxiety (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia
  • Lead paragraph, first sentence
    Mathematical anxiety, also known as math phobia and math anxiety, is a feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in daily life and academic situations.
  • In Group: Emotion, Anxiety and Wellbeing in Learning, Lead
    Mathematical anxiety, also known as math phobia and math anxiety, is a feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in daily life and academic situations.
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2. Mathematics Anxiety: What Have We Learned in 60 Years? (Frontiers)
Introduction section, discussing history of the term
Quote, Introduction section, discussing history of the term
the concept of "number anxiety" was introduced by Dreger and Aiken (1957)
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