A serious misconception about mathematics is the popular belief that one has to have a ‘maths brain’ to learn mathematics. This often leads many to be convinced that they can never learn mathematics as they are not ‘maths people’. Perhaps not everyone can be a mathematics genius and, as in any other human activity, some people may be better at mathematics than others. However, does that prevent them from learning mathematics at all? How is it possible that people who cope so well with most aspects of their lives believe that they are incompetent when it comes to mathematics?
In her book Mathematical Mindsets (2016), Jo Boaler, a Professor of Mathematics Education at the Stanford Graduate School of Education, maintains that the difference between those who succeed in mathematics and those who do not, is not a question of the brains they are born with, but rather “their approach to life, the messages they receive about their potential, and the opportunities they have to learn.” Indeed, she asserts that “with the right teaching and messages” most students can succeed in “any level of school maths.”
A related misconception is that mathematics is a male domain and therefore one cannot, in general, expect women to do as well in mathematics. I find this, and similar theories, to be unconvincing, first of all because the gap in achievement between men and women has diminished over the years.
Secondly, differences do not seem to be consistent and have been observed in some countries and cultures but not in others. In fact, TIMSS 2007 reported a higher average achievement for eighth grade girls in 16 of the participating countries, which included countries as culturally diverse as Lithuania, Singapore, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. A higher achievement for boys was reported in only eight countries, including Australia, Tunisia and Colombia.