There are some people who enjoy solving complex
mathematic equations, but on the other hand; most of people in the World suffer
and struggle with trying to solve indecipherable exercises. A study revealed
that the anxiety of solving mathematical operations could produce a brain
response similar to physical pain.
The study, which was published in the
scientific journal Plos One, was carried out by researchers from the University
of Chicago; it consisted of recruiting adult volunteers who feel afraid of
Mathematics under different situations: from reading a book to the basic
mathematical requirements.
The researchers scanned the brains while the
volunteers were solving their mathematical exercises and they found that an
alert lights in areas corresponding to bodily danger and physical pain.
“For someone who is afraid of math, the
expectancy of encouraging them produces a similar neuronal response as getting
a hand burned” explains Dr. Sian L. Beilock, the author of the study. Nowadays,
we can consider math solving as a potential and emergent enemy to the anxiety
rises.
What about you? Did you ever suffer from
solving exercises at school? Was it real painful for you as a student? Would this study considered trustworthy one or is it just an excuse to people who don't like solving math exercises?
Here you can find a useful video which explains
the findings of this study.
