Mathematics related anxiety: Mathematics bogeyman or not? Cover Image

Anksioznost u vezi sa učenjem matematike: Matematika – bauk ili ne?
Mathematics related anxiety: Mathematics bogeyman or not?

Author(s): Marina Videnović, Jelena Radišić
Subject(s): Psychology
Published by: Филозофски факултет, Универзитет у Београду
Keywords: mathematics anxiety; mathematics literacy; PISA;

Summary/Abstract: Data of the PISA 2003 survey indicate high levels of mathematics anxiety of students in Serbia. More than half of our students worry whether they will have difficulties in mathematics class or whether they will earn poor marks. Aims of this study therefore are: examining relationship between math anxiety and achievement at mathematics literacy scale; establishing possible predictors of math anxiety and identification of students’ groups in relations to their relationship towards mathematics as a subject. Mathematics anxiety is statistically negatively correlated with school achievementand achievement at mathematics literacy scale. Socio-demographic factors, motivational and cognitive aspects related to learning mathematics, perception of school and classroom climate explain 40% variance of mathematics anxiety. Based on students’ relationship towards mathematics they can be divided into three groups; while dimensions that apart them are uninterested-interested in mathematics and presence-absence of anxiety. The group displaying anxiety scores lowest among the three. Applying qualitative analysis students’ and teachers’ attitudes on specific issues related to teaching and learning mathematics was examined.

  • Issue Year: 14/2011
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 157-177
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Serbian
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