Psychology -- Constructivism and Cooperative Essay

Otherwise, there is probably considerable flexibility with respect to the manner in which specific group collaboration scenarios can be used to promote cooperation.

In one configuration, the group can be required to devise a detailed methodological approach to solving a problem by surveying the respective members of the group and then establishing a problem-solving strategy based on specific elements contributed by all of the different social constructs of individual group members.

In other configurations, the group collaboration process can also be used to promote effective learning. Specifically, both learning groups and working groups can often increase the ability of individuals to learn by expanding the range of the intellectual tools and perspectives in their skill sets (Myers & Spencer, 2004). Exposure and structured practical application of problem-solving strategies using approaches other than those upon which individuals usually rely can improve learning in both educational and vocational contexts (Myers & Spencer, 2004).Group projects can also improve substantive learning of the group members, such as where the group members are encouraged to contribute to the collaborative effort by focusing on individual strengths and abilities. That process allows individual group members to negate the usual limitations imposed by relative weaknesses while simultaneously bringing to bear their greatest strengths. It is likely that group collaboration scenarios can be designed to benefit both cooperation and learning simultaneously or to benefit one or the other more specifically by virtue of their design.

Sources Cited

Aronson E., Wilson T., and Akert R. (2003). Social Psychology. New York: Longman.

Gerrig R. And Zimbardo P. (2009). Psychology and Life. New York: Allyn & Bacon.

Pinker S. (2002). The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. New York:

Penguin.

Myers D. And Spencer….....