Answer:
Jigsaw groups are a cooperative learning technique developed by psychologist Elliot Aronson to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations in classroom settings. The major feature of jigsaw groups that Aronson believes accounts for their success in reducing the negative effects of prejudice is "interdependence."
In jigsaw groups, students are divided into diverse groups, and each member of the group is responsible for a unique piece of information or a specific task related to the overall project or lesson. To succeed, they must rely on each other's contributions, which creates a sense of interdependence. This structure encourages positive interdependence, as the success of the group as a whole depends on the individual contributions of its members.
This positive interdependence fosters several benefits:
1. **Reduced Prejudice:** When students from different backgrounds or with different abilities work together and rely on each other, they are more likely to develop empathy and understanding for one another. This can help reduce stereotypes and prejudice.
2. **Increased Cooperation:** Interdependence encourages students to cooperate rather than compete with each other. They see that they are all essential to the group's success, promoting collaboration and teamwork.
3. **Equal Participation:** In jigsaw groups, each student's contribution is valued, and they are encouraged to share their knowledge. This can empower quieter or less confident students and create a more inclusive learning environment.
4. **Improved Learning:** When students teach and learn from each other, they often understand and retain the material better than in traditional individualistic learning settings.
Overall, Aronson's jigsaw technique leverages the principle of interdependence to create a classroom environment that helps reduce prejudice, promote positive intergroup relations, and enhance learning outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation: