Mathematics and Computer Science Phobias

Abstract

Math and computer phobias are phenomena in which students suffer from an irrational fear of mathematics/computer science that affects their ability to learn, comprehend, practice, and perform tasks in those disciplines. Based on previous studies student populations are more anxious about taking math than computer science courses. Computer Science courses are more interactive than mathematics courses which reduces fear as opposed to the more solitary math which increases fear among students. Also, computerphobes and mathphobes tend to experience different levels of anxiety if taking a math or computer science test versus just going to classes. In this study we are examining the dependency of these phobias on age, gender, and major among the SUNY Purchase College student population. Our initial hypothesis is that the age, gender, and major of Purchase College students are not positively correlated to these phobias, but that these phobias depend on previous individual experiences. The main tool of this research is a questionnaire aimed to confirm or reject this hypothesis. The questionnaire has 32 questions asking students about their previous as well as current experiences/feelings about computer science and mathematics courses. Answers were measured on the Likert 5-point Scale ranging from Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5) points. The participants were 98 college students ages 18-26. The sample included 58 female and 40 male students. The majors of the students included in this study are, Arts, Communication, Music, Economics, Graphic Design, History, Math/CS and more. For the statistical analysis we used Excel and JMP Statistical Software. Still to be confirmed: In this sample our greatest surprise was our hypothesis that females are not more anxious than males when doing math or using computers was confirmed. The other two parts of our hypothesis were confirmed as well, that there is a difference between the major and that older students are not more anxious than younger ones.