An Exploratory Study of Social Factors and Mathematics Achievement among High-Scoring Students: Cross-Cultural Perspectives from TIMSS

Abstract

Social and psychological factors are important determinants of achievement-related attitudes and behavior. The current study examined these factors in relation to mathematics test performance across countries on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). This study examined data from TIMSS to determine the relationship between affective and behavioral factors and mathematics achievement among third and fourth grade students in the United States and Japan. It reported on the similarities and differences among and between these students in terms of factors that may be related to mathematics achievement. The study also gave particular attention to gender differences across countries in the attitudinal and behavioral factors that are related to mathematics achievement.