The Fear of All Sums: Exploring Maths Anxiety

Lecturer: Dr Florence Gabriel, University of South Australia

Mathematics anxiety (MA) is a pervasive phenomenon that has garnered considerable attention in the field of educational psychology. It refers to the emotional and psychological discomfort experienced by individuals when engaging with mathematical tasks or concepts. MA is thought to be caused by pre-existing cognitive difficulties, social factors, or a combination of the two. Better understanding of how this anxiety develops and how it can be mitigated can support improvement in both learning and mental health. In this presentation, Dr Gabriel will discuss some of the root causes of maths anxiety. She will also present evidence-based strategies to identify and tackle MA in educational settings. Additionally, the presentation will explore the manifestation of mathematics anxiety beyond the confines of school and university, illustrating its impact on everyday life.

For more information about this event, please click here