2017 Theses Doctoral

Mathematics Self-Efficacy and Flow in Developmental Mathematics Students

Golnabi, Laura

This study examined mathematics self-efficacy and the characteristics of flow in the context of performing mathematical tasks.  In particular, it explored the subjective experiences of 113 undergraduate students enrolled in a developmental mathematics course while they were independently solving certain mathematical problems.  This study supplemented the literature on the role of self-efficacy as a mediator of the effect of the challenge/skill ratio on flow by applying it to the context of mathematical problem solving. This study also expanded the discussion on how findings may indicate a direction for further research on mathematics anxiety.   Additionally, the relationship between mathematics self-efficacy and flow-like experiences as measured by the Flow Short Scale was considered.