Math Myths

One problem that contributes to the progression of math anxiety is the belief in many math myths. These erroneous math beliefs include the following:

* Men are better in math than women - however, research has failed to demonstrate that there is any difference in math ability between the sexes.

* There is a single best way to solve a math problem - however, the majority of math problems can be solved in a number of different ways. By saying that there is only one way to solve a math problem, the thinking and creative skills of the student are held back.

* Some people have a math mind, and others do not - in truth, the majority of people have much more potential for their math capabilities than they believe of themselves.

* It is a bad thing to count by using your fingers - counting by using fingers has actually shown that an understanding of arithmetic has been established.

* People who are skilled in math can do problems quickly in their heads - in actuality, even math professors will review their example problems before they teach them in their classes.

The anxieties formed by these myths can frequently be perpetuated by a range of mind games that students seem to play with themselves. These math mind games include the following beliefs:

*I don't perform fast enough – actually everyone has a different rate at which he or she can learn. The speed of the solving of math problems is not important as long as the student can solve it.

*I don't have the mind for math – this belief can inhibit a student's belief in him or herself, and will therefore interfere with the student's real ability to learn math.

*I got the correct answer, but it was done the wrong way – there is no single best way to complete a math problem. By believing this, a student's creativity and overall understanding of math is hindered.

*If I can get the correct answer, then it is too simple.

Students who suffer from math anxiety frequently belittle their own abilities when it comes to their math capabilities.

Math is unrelated to my "real" life - by freeing themselves of the fear of math, math anxiety sufferers are only limiting their choices and freedoms for the rest of their life.

Fortunately, there are many ways to help those who suffer from math anxiety. Since math anxiety is a learned, psychological response to doing or thinking about math, that interferes with the sufferer's ability to understand and perform math, it is not at all a reflection of the sufferer's true math skills and abilities.