Fear of Mathematics

[nycmath]

In your opinion, why do most people fear math?

[Math Tutor]

Because math is one of the few subjects where you can't fake it - an answer is either right or wrong, and being wrong feels public.

Add to that the fact that it is cumulative: miss fractions in 4th grade and everything after feels like a foreign language, so students conclude they are "not a math person" instead of realizing they simply have a gap to fill.

And many of us were taught to memorize steps rather than understand why they work, which is terrifying - memorized rules fall apart the moment a problem looks slightly different.

It is usually not fear of math. It is fear of being exposed as behind.

[nycmath]

Because math is one of the few subjects where you can't fake it - an answer is either right or wrong, and being wrong feels public.

You are right. Add time pressure to be right or wrong and fear easily forms.

Add to that the fact that it is cumulative: miss fractions in 4th grade and everything after feels like a foreign language, so students conclude they are "not a math person" instead of realizing they simply have a gap to fill.

It's a gap, a hole that needs to be filled. This can be easily done by taking remedial courses.

And many of us were taught to memorize steps rather than understand why they work, which is terrifying - memorized rules fall apart the moment a problem looks slightly different.

Memory power is needed to succeed in school and life but there's more to learning than memorization. Knowing how and why formulas work is very important. Schools today are taught to TEACH TO THE TEST. Forget learning concepts. Just learn to be mechanical with the test. This hasn't worked and will never prepare students for life after school.

It is usually not fear of math. It is fear of being exposed as behind.

Correct. This why most students NEVER raise their hands when the teacher asks: Does anyone have a question about what I just went over? About 90% of the class has a question and several have the same questions. Fear of embarrassing moments in a public setting keeps people from raising their hands.