The Difference in Level of Anxiety in Undergraduate Mathematics and Nonmathematics Majors

Abstract

Anxiety levels of mathematics and nonmathematics majors, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), were investigated using a multiple linear regression model. The results confirm that mathematics majors are no more or no less anxious than nonmathematics majors, and that anxiety levels of mathematics majors did not increase from freshman through senior year. Finally, the research indicates that being in a mathematics classroom created no more anxiety than being in a nonmathematics classroom.