Editing Cooperative learning (section)

== Theoretical base ==
Social [[interdependence theory]]: Social interdependence exists when the outcomes of individuals are affected by their own and others' actions.<ref name="Johnson 1989"/> There are two types of social interdependence: positive (when the actions of individuals promote the achievement of joint goals) and negative (when the actions of individuals obstruct the achievement of each other's goals). Social interdependence may be differentiated from social dependence, independence, and helplessness. Social dependence exists when the goal achievement of Person A is affected by Person B's actions, but the reverse is not true. Social independence exists when the goal achievement of Person A is unaffected by Person B's actions and vice versa. Social helplessness exists when neither the person nor other can influence goal achievement.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Kurt Lewin proposed that the essence of a group is the interdependence among members that results in the group being a dynamic whole so that a change in the state of any member or subgroup changes the state of any other member or subgroup. Group members are made interdependent through common goals. As members perceive their common goals, a state of tension arises that motivates movement toward the accomplishment of the goals.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewin|first1=Kurt|title=A dynamic theory of personality|publisher=New York: McGraw-Hill}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Lewin|first1=Kurt|title=Resolving social conflicts|publisher=New York: Harper}}</ref>

Morton Deutsch extended Lewin's notions by examining how the tension systems of different people may be interrelated. He conceptualized two types of social interdependence—positive and negative. Positive interdependence exists when there is a positive correlation among individuals' goal attainments; individuals perceive that they can attain their goal if and only if the other individuals with whom they are cooperatively linked attain their goals. Positive interdependence results in promotive interaction. Negative interdependence exists when there is a negative correlation among individuals' goal achievements; individual perceive that they can obtain their goals if and only if the other individuals with whom they are competitively like fail to obtain their goals. Negative interdependence results in oppositional or content interaction. No interdependence exists when there is no correlation among individuals' goal achievements; individuals perceive that the achievement of their goals is unrelated to the goal achievement of others. The basic premise of social interdependence theory is that how participants' goals are structured determines the ways they interact and the interaction pattern determine the outcomes of the situation.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Deutsch|first1=Morton|title=A theory of cooperation and competition|journal=Human Relations|date=1949|volume=2|issue=2|pages=129–152|doi=10.1177/001872674900200204|s2cid=145422203|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Deutsch|first1=Morton|title=Cooperation and trust: Some theoretical notes|date=1962|publisher=Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press|pages=275–319}}</ref>