Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
10:58
Multimedia Battery for Assessment of Cognitive and Basic Skills in Mathematics (BM-PROMA)
Published on: August 28, 2021
The neurodevelopmental basis of math anxiety
Christina B Young1, Sarah S Wu, Vinod Menon
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5719, USA.
Psychological Science
|March 22, 2012
Summary
Math anxiety in children is linked to overactive amygdala and underactive reasoning brain regions. These findings offer new insights for early identification and treatment of math anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Math anxiety negatively impacts professional success.
- Neurodevelopmental origins of math anxiety remain unclear.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the neural correlates of math anxiety in children.
- To investigate the brain activity patterns associated with math anxiety.
- To explore the relationship between math anxiety and emotional regulation centers.
Main Methods:
- Functional MRI (fMRI) study on 7- to 9-year-old children.
- Analysis of brain activity in regions associated with emotion processing and mathematical reasoning.
- Multivariate classification and effective connectivity analyses.
Main Results:
- Math anxiety associated with right amygdala hyperactivity and reduced parietal/prefrontal cortex activity.
- Distinct multivoxel activity patterns in the amygdala, independent of overall activation.
- Elevated effective connectivity between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
Conclusions:
- First identification of neural correlates for math anxiety.
- Findings specific to math anxiety, unrelated to general anxiety, intelligence, or reading ability.
- Significant implications for early identification and targeted interventions for math anxiety.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
02:09Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
When we hold a stereotype about a person, we have expectations that he or she will fulfill that stereotype. A self-fulfilling prophecy is an expectation held by a person that alters his or her behavior in a way that tends to make it true. When we hold stereotypes about a person, we tend to treat the person according to our expectations. This treatment can influence the person to act according to our stereotypic expectations, thus confirming our stereotypic beliefs. Research by Rosenthal and...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:18Anxiety: Overview
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...