The Mathematics Anxiety Pattern

Under ‘The Mathematical Anxiety Pattern’ by (Puteh, 2002) shown in Chart 2, students through negative experiences will expect failure, and through this pattern each time they avoid or unable to perform they will again confirm their expectation of failure. Hence, by restructuring the attitude, this process can be avoided (Mitchell and Collin, 1991, p.45). Contribution to the formation of negative attitudes towards mathematics anxiety (Puteh, 2002) are listed below; fear of asking for help, teachers blaming students for not understanding, teacher ridiculing students. Teacher’s strictness and fierceness, use of threats and force by teachers, teachers not showing interest in their students, teaching style which emphasis the transfer of information and not attention to the learning of the individual.