Stereotypes and Mathematics: A Quantitative Approach to the Draw a Mathematician Test

Abstract

It is important to uncover attitudes and perceptions about mathematics, especially since attitudes can play a part when students choose to, or not to continue with mathematical studies. The “Draw a mathematician test” (DAMT) has been utilized to assess the perceptions of mathematicians, but not many have addressed the connections between a negative perception of mathematicians and a negative attitude towards mathematics. Data was collected in the autumn of 2022; 54 Norwegian 5th graders completed the DAMT and a questionnaire about attitudes toward mathematics. A correlation analysis showed non-significant and small correlations between stereotypical drawings of mathematican in the DAMT and attitudes towards mathematics. To investigate what characteristics are specific for the stereotype of mathematicians we used journalists as a control profession. An ANOVA showed no significant difference between the personal characteristics of the different professionals, but there was a significant difference in the drawn surroundings between the two professions. Lastly, previous DAMT studies point to most mathematicians being drawn as men, especially when drawn by boys. An ANOVA showed that the only significant predictor for the gender of the drawn person was the gender of the child. This could indicate a change in the perception of mathematics as a male profession, and future studies should investigate if this is the case. The results of this study encourage caution with use and interpretation of the DAMT to determine stereotypical perceptions and suggest that the DAMT should not be used as a tool to measure attitudes towards mathematics.