Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up . . . And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12

Where We've Been: Theoretical Roots

Cooperative learning has a rich history of theory, research, and actual classroom use, which makes it one of the most distinguished of all instructional practices. At least three general theoretical perspectives—social interdependence theory, cognitive developmental theory, and behavioral learning theory—have guided research on cooperative learning.

Social Interdependence Theory