Aptitude Trumps Attitude: Performance in Statistics Course Influences Attitudes Toward Statistics, Not the Other Way Around.

First-semester GPA predicted final course grade in sophomore statistics. Attitudes toward statistics, self-assessed mathematical intelligence, and locus of control, all measured at the start of the semester, had no predictive value. However, end-of-semester attitudes toward statistics were highly correlated with final course grade, suggesting that performing well improved students’ attitudes.