What happens when robots have feelings?

Linda Gattuso

pp. 99-114

in: Stephen Lerman (ed), Cultural perspectives on the mathematics classroom, Berlin, Springer, 1994

Abstract

Some years ago, while conducting an investigation with mathophobic students (Gattuso & Lacasse 1986, 1987, Gattuso 1987) I was amazed by the perception the students had of their mathematics teachers. The subjects were 15 college students enrolled in "Mathophobia" workshops. Data were taken from autobiographical questionnaires and from recordings of discussions going on between the pupils and animators during the workshops. Analysis showed very clearly that these students took this equation as a tautology: