Editing Cooperative learning (section)

== Competition in cooperative and individualistic efforts ==

There are many reasons why competitors tend to achieve less than they would if they were working cooperatively.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Johnson|first1=David|title=Cooperative, competitive, and individualistic learning|journal=Journal of Research and Development in Education|date=1978|volume=12|pages=3–15}}</ref> There have also been many studies claiming cooperative learning is more effective than competitive learning and individualistic efforts. But studies also show that competition and individualistic efforts can be constructive and should be encouraged when they are appropriately structured.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The conditions for constructive competition are that winning is relatively unimportant, all participants have a reasonable chance to win and there are clear and specific rules, procedures, and criteria for winning. The conditions for constructive individualistic efforts are: for cooperation to be too costly, difficult or cumbersome because of the unavailability of skilled potential co-operators or the unavailability of the resources need for cooperation to take place; for the goal to be perceived as important, relevant, and worthwhile; for the participants to expect that they will be successful in achieving their goals; for the directions for completing the tasks to be clear and specific, so participants can proceed and evaluate their work without further clarification; and for accomplishments to be used subsequently in a cooperative effort.