MATH ANXIETY IS REAL - AND IT SIGNIFICANTLY EFFECTS MATH PERFORMANCE
UChicago researchers have found that the higher a person’s anxiety about math, the more anticipating math activated areas of the brain related to experiencing pain.
“For someone who has math anxiety, the anticipation of doing math prompts a similar brain reaction as when they experience pain—say, burning one’s hand on a hot stove,” said Sian Beilock, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago and a leading expert on math anxiety.
This latest study points to the value of seeing math anxiety not just as a proxy for poor math ability, but as an indication there can be a real, negative psychological reaction to the prospect of doing math. This reaction needs to be addressed like any other phobia, the researchers said. Rather than simply piling on math homework for students who are anxious about math, students need active help to become more comfortable with the subject, Beilock said. Beilock’s work has shown, for instance, that writing about math anxieties before a test can reduce one’s worries and lead to better performance. -
See more at: http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/10/31/when-people-worry-about-math-brain-feels-pain#sthash.FpP8YEDJ.dpuf
“For someone who has math anxiety, the anticipation of doing math prompts a similar brain reaction as when they experience pain—say, burning one’s hand on a hot stove,” said Sian Beilock, professor of psychology at the University of Chicago and a leading expert on math anxiety.
This latest study points to the value of seeing math anxiety not just as a proxy for poor math ability, but as an indication there can be a real, negative psychological reaction to the prospect of doing math. This reaction needs to be addressed like any other phobia, the researchers said. Rather than simply piling on math homework for students who are anxious about math, students need active help to become more comfortable with the subject, Beilock said. Beilock’s work has shown, for instance, that writing about math anxieties before a test can reduce one’s worries and lead to better performance. -
See more at: http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2012/10/31/when-people-worry-about-math-brain-feels-pain#sthash.FpP8YEDJ.dpuf
MATH ANXIETY CAN BE TREATED - Dr. Nolting is a learning specialist helping students manage their anxiety and be successful
Learning Specialist Dr. Paul Nolting has helped thousands of students improve their math learning and obtain better grades. Dr. Nolting is a national expert in assessing math learning problems - from study skills to learning disabilities - and developing effective learning strategies and testing accommodations.
He is an expert in helping struggling students manage math anxiety and become successful.
In the video below, Dr. Nolting discusses why math is different than other contents, and why specific math strategies are needed.
He is an expert in helping struggling students manage math anxiety and become successful.
In the video below, Dr. Nolting discusses why math is different than other contents, and why specific math strategies are needed.
