Week 4: Mathematics, anxiety, and gender

Younger et al (2012)

• fMRI of 7-9 year olds

• maths anxiety was related to right amygdala

• reduced activity in prefrontal cortex

Beilock et al (2010)

the teacher’s personal feelings about mathematics is likely to impact students of the same gender

Baroody & Dowker (2003) four aspects of maths proficiency

• conceptual understanding

• computational fluency

• strategic mathematical thinking

• productive disposition

Maloney et al (2012)

controlling for spatial ability eliminates sex differences in maths ability

Sullivan & Brown (2015)

reading for pleasure predicts maths attainment level

Siegler & Jenkins (1989)

studied maths strategies of 4-5 year olds over 11 weeks, they change alot to allow for cognitive growth

Stipek & Galinski (1991)

• surveyed boys and girls before and after marhs test

• attribution bias in girls

• no difference in performance

Parsons et al (1982)

parents hold sex biases about maths performance towards their children

Bleeker & Jacobs (2004)

a mother’s belief about their child’s success in math-oriented career predicted the adolescent’s self-efficacy in a maths/science related career

Hughuet & Raynor (2009)

• boys and girls given 90s to learn complex figure than retrace it

• they were told it either tested geometry or drawing ability

• girls showed counter-stereotypic belief yet still performed worse on the task

Ramirez et al (2013)

anxiety has implications on working memory