Mathematics self-efficacy is the most commonly studied motivational propensity and is usually positively related to algebraic thinking¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r3 · q3
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? Across reviewed studies, mathematics self-efficacy was most often positively related to algebraic thinking, with a minority of studies finding null relations. → Silla 2026

Evidence¶

Silla 2026¶

Silla, E. M., Guba, T.-P., Rodrigues, A., Anisiobi, O. C., Scanniello, A., & Barbieri, C. A. (2026). A Systematic Review of Mathematical, Motivational, and Socioemotional Propensities Related to Algebraic Thinking. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10111-6

q3 · i? · review · r3

Table 3 summary of motivational propensity findings shows mathematics self-efficacy positively related to algebraic thinking in the majority of listed studies and null in two (Jacobson, 2022; Josephson, 2020); no effect sizes are printed in the table.

"Mathematics Self-Efficacy Positive Dethlefs (2002); Geary et al. (2023a) Hamer (2012); Jacobson (2022); McCarthy Gonzales (2018); On- songo (2017); Perry et al. (2016a); Smith (2024) Null Jacobson (2022); Josephson (2020)"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Algebraic Thinking — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes

Related Claims¶

• Few algebra studies examine mathematical and motivational/socioemotional propensities in tandem — related
• Integrated models combining mathematical and motivational propensities significantly explain algebra performance — related
• Mathematics anxiety shows mixed relations to algebraic thinking across studies — related
• Sense of belonging to mathematics is positively related to algebraic thinking in reviewed studies — related
• Sense of mathematics belonging predicts algebra learning, even after controlling for prior knowledge and background factors — related