Liu Jie, Li Zhifeng, Yang Jiawang, He Hao, Cui Fang
School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Neuroscience, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
NPJ Sci Learn. 2025 Aug 2;10(1):50. doi: 10.1038/s41539-025-00343-0.
This study explores the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying math avoidance in individuals with high math anxiety (HMA), a pattern contributing to reduced practice and poor performance. Using an approach-avoid conflict paradigm and both general linear mixed model and Hierarchical Drift Diffusion Model (HDDM) regression analyses, we found their avoidance behavior is primarily driven by heightened sensitivity to task difficulty, rather than reward sensitivity. Task difficulty sensitivity also mediated the link between math anxiety and avoidance tendency. Neuroimaging revealed distinct activation in the ventral valuation network (e.g., nucleus accumbens, hippocampus) and cognitive control regions (e.g., precuneus, mid-cingulate cortex, temporo-parietal junction) in HMA individuals. Functional connectivity among these regions effectively distinguished HMA from low math anxiety participants. Additionally, activations in the hippocampus, mid-cingulate cortex, and posterior insula mediated the relationship between math anxiety and avoidance. These findings highlight the cognitive and neural bases of math avoidance and may inform targeted interventions.
本研究探讨了高数学焦虑（HMA）个体中数学回避背后的认知和神经机制，这种模式导致练习减少和成绩不佳。使用趋近-回避冲突范式以及一般线性混合模型和分层漂移扩散模型（HDDM）回归分析，我们发现他们的回避行为主要由对任务难度的更高敏感性驱动，而非奖励敏感性。任务难度敏感性还介导了数学焦虑与回避倾向之间的联系。神经影像学显示，HMA个体的腹侧评估网络（如伏隔核、海马体）和认知控制区域（如楔前叶、扣带中部皮质、颞顶联合区）有明显激活。这些区域之间的功能连接有效地将HMA个体与低数学焦虑参与者区分开来。此外，海马体、扣带中部皮质和后岛叶的激活介导了数学焦虑与回避之间的关系。这些发现突出了数学回避的认知和神经基础，并可能为有针对性的干预提供依据。
