Research has shown that a variety of variables influence performance in statistics and math. Generally, prior knowledge is a strong predictor for future achievement. This level of prior knowledge is measured through grades and assessment scores. 

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Mathematics Anxiety is feelings of apprehension and increased physiological reactivity when someone is faced with math related tasks, such as manipulating numbers, solving math problems, or taking exams/tests in regard to math. 

Mathematics Anxiety 

Statistics Anxiety is the apprehension that someone experiences in academic or practical scenarios, related to statistics. It’s an enduring and habitual form of anxiety. 

Statistics Anxiety 

Paechter, M., Macher, D., Martskvishvili, K., Wimmer, S., & Papousek, I. (2017, July 24). Mathematics anxiety and statistics anxiety. shared but also unshared components and antagonistic contributions to performance in statistics. Frontiers. Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01196/full 

Mathematics Anxiety and Statistics Anxiety. Shared but Also Unshared Components and Antagonistic Contributions to Performance in Statistics

It’s estimated that 17% of the U.S.-American population have high levels of math anxiety, and studies in other countries have similar estimation. Women report higher levels of math anxiety than men do, potentially due to societal factors. Math-anxious students more often exhibit procrastination than those who aren’t. 

Broader Look into Mathematic Anxiety 


Predicting Achievement in Math and Statistics 

A measurement of mathematics anxiety used. It includes three subcategories: Mathematics test anxiety (15 questions), numerical task anxiety (5 questions), and math course anxiety (5 questions). The self-report questions require participants to rate on a five-point scale how they feel in certain scenarios.

The Revised Mathematics Anxiety Ratings Scale (R-MARS)

Researchers have aimed to understand if statistics anxiety is a genuine form of anxiety that truly impairs a student’s success, or if students just shift previous math-related experiences to statistics. Essentially, do students (specifically those in social sciences) truly have statistics anxiety, or are they just assuming they’ll do poorly because there’s math present? 

Understanding the Legitimacy of Statistics Anxiety

A measurement of statistics anxiety used in studies. It inquires three subscales: Test and class anxiety (8 questions), interpretation anxiety (11 questions), and the fear of asking for help (4 questions). The self-report questions require participants to rate on a five-point scale how they feel in certain scenarios.

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