Discuss co-operation and/or competition in groups.

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks. These can be found under the “Your tests” tab > supplemental materials.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of the role of cooperation and competition in groups.

Relevant theories may include, but are not limited to:

• realistic conflict theory
• game theory
• social identity theory.

Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:

• Sherif’s (1961) Robbers Cave study
• Aronson’s (1971) jigsaw classroom
• Beeman and D’Amico’s (1956) study of the effects of co-operation and competition on cohesiveness of small groups
• McCallum, Harring, Gilmore, Drenan, Chase, Insko, and Thibaut’s (1985) study on competition and co-operation between groups and individuals using the Prisoner’s Dilemm
• Tajfel et al. (1971).

Critical discussion may include, but is not limited to:

• the role of co-operation in strengthening or weakening group cohesion
• effects of co-operation or competition on individual and group performance
• comparison of co-operation and competition in groups
• methodological and ethical considerations in research related to co-operation and/or competition in groups
• how the findings of research have been interpreted and applied
• implications of the findings
• assumptions and biases in research related to co-operation and/or competition in groups.

This was a very popular question. Strengths included correct discussion of social identity theory and realistic conflict theory, as well as corresponding studies as illustrations. Weaknesses were few here, but some candidates had problems evaluating the findings of research in this area. Weak responses tended to provide detailed account of relevant studies without linking them to the question.