Differences and similarities between the mathematical anxiety profiles of Administration and Engineering students

Abstract

Some characteristics of Math Anxiety of freshmen in a University at Guadalajara, Mexico are determined. In order to do this a test was developed out of questionnaires by Pierce et al. and Galbraith & Haines. The test was applied to 289 majoring in Business and 128 students majoring in engineering. Math Anxiety is described by means of three descriptors: attitudes, beliefs and emotions. Significant differences in means of factors and of questions are analyzed. It is found that the most significate differences between business students and engineering students arise from attitudes towards mathematics and an emotional factor.