The effect of anxiety on mathematical thinking: An fMRI study on 12th-grade students

Atabek, Oguzhan; Şavkliyildiz, Ayhan; Orhon, Günseli; Çolak, Ömer Halil; Özdemir, Arda; Utku, S.

doi:10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101779

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Math anxiety may be related to individuals’ self-evaluation, math self-efficacy, and past math experiences. Research has found that math anxiety is associated with activities in specific brain regions, such as the amygdala ( Atabek et al, 2022 ). Individuals with high math anxiety show excessive activity in the amygdala region of the brain when facing mathematical tasks, indicating that math anxiety is not only a psychological phenomenon but also related to brain physiological activities.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through neuroimaging technologies such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers aim to unveil the neural mechanisms and network connections behind math anxiety ( Newman et al, 2011 ). Firstly, from an emotional processing perspective, studies have found that individuals with math anxiety, when facing mathematical tasks, show more active neural activities in brain regions related to emotional processing, such as the amygdala ( Atabek et al, 2022 ). The amygdala, as a core area for emotional responses and processing, indicates that math anxiety is closely related to the brain’s emotional regulation mechanisms ( Atabek et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Firstly, from an emotional processing perspective, studies have found that individuals with math anxiety, when facing mathematical tasks, show more active neural activities in brain regions related to emotional processing, such as the amygdala ( Atabek et al, 2022 ). The amygdala, as a core area for emotional responses and processing, indicates that math anxiety is closely related to the brain’s emotional regulation mechanisms ( Atabek et al, 2022 ). This connection might be a crucial neural foundation for the emergence and maintenance of math anxiety.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The neuroscience basis and educational interventions of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety: a systematic literature review

2023

Front. Psychol.

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IntroductionMathematics is a fundamental subject with significant implications in education and neuroscience. Understanding the cognitive processes underlying mathematical cognition is crucial for enhancing educational practices. However, mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety significantly hinder learning and application in this field. This systematic literature review aims to investigate the neuroscience basis and effective educational interventions for these challenges.MethodsThe review involved a comprehensive screening of 62 research articles that meet the ESSA evidence levels from multiple databases. The selection criteria focused on studies employing various methodologies, including behavioral experiments and neuroimaging techniques, to explore the neuroscience underpinnings and educational interventions related to mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety.ResultsThe review identified key themes and insights into the neuroscience basis of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety. It also examined their impact on educational practices, highlighting the interplay between cognitive processes and educational outcomes. The analysis of these studies revealed significant findings on how these impairments and anxieties manifest and can be addressed in educational settings.DiscussionThe review critically analyzes the shortcomings of existing research, noting gaps and limitations in current understanding and methodologies. It emphasizes the need for more comprehensive and diverse studies to better understand these phenomena. The discussion also suggests new directions and potential improvement strategies for future research, aiming to contribute to more effective educational interventions and enhanced learning experiences in mathematics.ConclusionThis systematic review provides valuable insights into the neuroscience basis of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety, offering a foundation for developing more effective educational strategies. It underscores the importance of continued research in this area to improve educational outcomes and support learners facing these challenges.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The neuroscience basis and educational interventions of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety: a systematic literature review

2023

Front. Psychol.

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“…Previous fMRI studies have shown that individuals with high MA tend to recruit comparatively more a broad fronto-parietal network devoted to attention and arithmetic performance than individuals with lower MA (Atabek et al, 2022; Chang et al, 2017), even with very simple calculations for which behavioral differences are not apparent (Chang et al, 2017). The reasons why this should be the case are unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

What pupil size can and cannot tell about math anxiety

Blini,

Anobile,

Arrighi

2023

Preprint

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Math Anxiety (MA)consists of excessive fear and worry about math-related situations. It represents a major barrier to numerical competence and the pursuit of STEM careers. Yet it is still poorly evaluated, mostly through self-reports. Here we sought to probePupil Size (PS)as a viable biomarker of MA by administering arithmetic problems to young adults (N= 70) with various levels of MA. We found that arithmetic competence and performance are indeed negatively associated with MA, and this is accurately tracked by PS. When performance is accounted for, MA does not further modulate PS (before, during, or after calculation). However, the latency of PS peak dilation could add a significant contribution to predicting MA scores, indicating that high MA may be accompanied by more prolonged cognitive effort. Results show that MA and mathematical competence may be too crystalized in young adults to be discernible, calling for early educational interventions.

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Task-based attentional and default mode connectivity associated with science and math anxiety profiles among university physics students

Smith

Meca

Bottenhorn

et al. 2023

Trends in Neuroscience and Education

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The effect of anxiety on mathematical thinking: An fMRI study on 12th-grade students

Cited by 4 publications

References 54 publications

The neuroscience basis and educational interventions of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety: a systematic literature review

The neuroscience basis and educational interventions of mathematical cognitive impairment and anxiety: a systematic literature review

What pupil size can and cannot tell about math anxiety

Task-based attentional and default mode connectivity associated with science and math anxiety profiles among university physics students

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