Causes of Math Anxiety

Math is a subject that is taught every year from kindergarten through 12th grade and it continues throughout higher education. It is one of the most important subjects in school, yet it is often the most feared and disliked by students. According to the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), in 2012, the United States scored lower than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average on math scores, which was lower than 29 education systems. Research shows that students are accepting failure in mathematics due to math anxiety and societal pressures. (Latterell 2005). Unfortunately, there are many negative effects of math anxiety, including avoidance, low self-efficacy in mathematics, and poor performance (Ashcraft, 2002). To minimize the effects of math anxiety, it is crucial for educators to know why the math anxiety was developed within their students.Through a collection of current literature and interviews with college students who have math anxiety to understand their full experience with mathematics, this study aims to conclude what causes math anxiety in our students. When educators determine the causes of the math anxiety, they need the tools and resources to help students overcome or reduce their math anxiety. This study also explores suggestions for what teachers can do to help their students with math anxiety be successful in mathematics.