Fear of mathematics can improve the ability to calculate
Anxiety for mathematics? Agobio every time the teacher sends a new problem or explains an unknown operation? Feelings very common in children but do not have to be negative, moreover, a study has just proved otherwise: feeling afraid of mathematics can improve the ability to calculate. Of course, this happens in "very specific conditions".
As explained in Scientific American, researchers from the Ohio State University, in the United States, carried out a study through which they examined the results in mathematics of more than 260 twin brothers of an average of 12 years.
Study with twins and mathematics
The brothers studied had to respond to different tests designed to know their "ability and motivation for mathematics." Also, a second part of the study surveyed all these children about whether they were afraid of this subject.
The results show that children who did not feel motivated for calculations and showed anxiety about mathematics got worse grades, but those who considered the subject a challenge and were afraid of not being "good enough" did improve their grades.
Help to learn math
Thus, what this study reveals is an interesting relationship between the fear of mathematics and the ability to calculate. A relationship that says that students with a "moderate" phobia to mathematics stand out in the calculation tests. These conclusions have been confirmed through the repetition of the tests to 237 students, arriving to find a similar relationship.
The authors argue that a "healthy respect" to the calculation can benefit the ability of children in mathematics as long as there is a motivation. "Especially in children who feel very motivated, a moderate phobia of mathematics can be a help for learning," says Stephen Petrill, lead author of the study.
The conclusions of the study could serve to advance the understanding of the learning processes of mathematics, which, in turn, would help to develop more appropriate programs for teaching and improve the mathematical skills of students.
Angela R. Bonachera
