Are Juries the Most Appropriate Way of Deciding Guilt?

Are Juries the Most Appropriate Way of Deciding Guilt? Abigail Louise Lines   From a Psychological Perspective, Are Juries the Most Appropriate Way of Deciding a Persons Guilt? The judicial system within the United Kingdom has a perverse history, with its origins in the church influencing modern systems and the human rights we have within the court today (Brooks, 2004). Before criminal trial juries were an established concept in the United Kingdom, there were three ways in which the degree of a persons innocence was established: a Wager of Law, Trial by Battle and The Ordeals (Brooks, 2004). These tests primarily consisted of physical challenges in which God was believed to be the primary authority to pass judgement and decide a persons guilt; these trials disregarded human rights, often involved physical anguish and frequently resulted in the death of the accused (Brooks, 2004). It was not until 1219 that individuals accused of a crime were allowed to appeal to a jury, however, individuals who refused to appeal through a jury were subjected to Prison Forte et Dure, where the accused were physically and emotionally tried until they consented to this appeal procedure (Berger, 2011). Due to the influence of the church and the belief that God was involved in the decision of guilt, it was rare that jury members in the appeal procedure would have to justify their decisions and have their verdicts questioned (Berger, 2011). During the early 1300s jurors verdicts began to be doubted and those who served on a jury could be challenged as unfit, incompetent or corrupt; this later led to reforms as to who would be allowed to serve on a jury and an emphasis on mandatory guidelines to follow (Smith Wales, 2000). Modern criminal trials consist of 12-16 individuals selected at random from the electoral register to represent their peers; they discuss the factors influencing the case at hand to ultimately determine the level of guilt of the involved and to deliver an appropriate verdict (Smith Wales, 1999). Juror capabilities have been questioned in recent years due to a rising number of [G1]criticisms of competency, variances between the judges and jurys verdict, and the role of inadmissible evidence which is believed to influence jurors decisions (Smith Wales, 1999; Hans, 2008). To understand and assess whether juries are appropriate for deciding an individuals guilt, the current essay will explore psychological evidence and criticisms of the jury. It will critically evaluate factors involved in juror decision making and competency, recognising the role of current systems in place and how these systems may influence the reliability of jurors. Furthermore, it will investigate alternatives to juries, systems used in countries outside of the UK and improvements to be made to the modern jury.[G2][G3][G4][G5][G6] Juror decision making models have been a point of interest for those critiquing the jury system; several empirical studies have created and reviewed models of juror decision making to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of having a jury (Pennington Hastie, 1981). Cognitive models of juror decision making are the more commonly accepted approaches, specifically that of the Story Model (Pennington Hastie, 1992). The Story Model assumes that jurors construct stories when deciding on a verdict; they will piece together known elements of the case, learn the appropriate verdicts for the individual and then make a decision based on the goodness of fit principle (Pennington Hastie, 1992). Although this structure recognises that individuals will use schemas to interpret the case at hand, it relies on this aspect heavily when individuals create the stories (Pennington Hastie, 1992). Due to the level of variance in individuals schemas, this may be a critique of using jurors in civil and cr iminal trials due to the differences in how they interpret events within the case; it makes it increasingly difficult to come to a unanimous decision, especially in complex cases wherein there are multiple aggravating and mitigating factors involved (Devine, Clayton, Dunford, Seying Pryce, 2001). The Story Model also takes into account the jurors previous knowledge of the legal system when applying their story to the verdict; this again uses real world knowledge court cases which may not derive from reliable sources, such as movies and television shows, which in turn may cause them to arrive at a disagreeable or incorrect verdict (Devine, Clayton, Dunford, Seying Pryce, 2001). Few meta-analyses have reviewed models of juror decision making, however, all have arrived at similar conclusions for improvements (Saks Marti, 1997; Devine, Clayton, Dunford, Seying Pryce, 2001). Variables such as knowledge of legal terms, clarification of verdict options, jury personality types, defendant criminal history and the strength of the evidence presented all affect jury decision outcomes[G7] in studies; without systematically controlling for these factors in studies, it is difficult to firmly accept the level at which jurors are a reliable means of assessing an individuals guilt (Devine, Clayton, Dunford, Seying Pryce, 2001). It is, however, possible to understand improvements to be made to the current jury system from the meta-analyses on decision making models; Saks and Marti (1997) explained that jurors express difficulty in understanding and applying instructions given by the judge. This thought to be due to the specific language used in legal settings, which indiv iduals without training may find difficult to understand; it has been suggested that instructions given by judges should be mediated for language which may confuse jurors and be re-written to allow for clarification (Saks Marti 1997; Hans, 2008). [G8][G9] Juror competency is currently monitored within the United Kingdom, through a comparison of verdicts, analysis of verdict patterns, a series of interviews or questionnaires and also through the use of mock jury studies (Hans, 2008). As previously mentioned, there are concerns that jurors may find it difficult within a court setting to understand the specific legal terminology used by judges, however, there is also evidence that jurors may express difficulty in understanding statistical and economic evidence; this is of particular concern during complex cases with industry specific language, wherein the jury may not be able to discuss the specific factors regarding the case as they are unable to fully comprehend it (ForsterLee, Horowitz, Bourgeois, 1993). There have been studies which disagree with this critique, as findings have shown that Judges and Jurors generally match in their verdicts in cases involving complex language (Eisenberg, Hannaford-Agor, Hans, Mott, Schwab Wells, 200 5). Further studies exploring individual versus group competence wield reassuring results for those in favour of the judicial system; one study exploring theorems of group confidence found that regardless of the overall individual competence, jury members in a larger group are less likely to make mistakes due to being able to deliberate on ideas (Grofman, Owen Feld, 1983). Along with larger group sizes increasing juror competence, several studies have found that note taking and engagement is the ideal way in which juror competence is enhanced; jurors that weigh in, take notes and assume an active role in deliberating the final verdict have been shown to have a higher level of engagement with the case, which leads to a higher level of competence (Heuer Penrod, 1994; Forsterlee Horowitz, 1997). Until 1967, the British court required juries to reach a unanimous verdict; modern UK courts judges will now accept a majority vote, however, in some states in the USA the unanimity rule is still applied (Sunstein, 2014). It is believed that forcing juries to reach unanimous verdicts decreases the chance that an innocent individual is convicted, and the guilty being acquitted, yet research argues that these errors may actually increase if individuals are forced to reach unanimity (Feddersen Pesendorfer, 1998). This is believed to be due to jurors attempting to apply strategic behaviour to their decision making while disregarding their intuition (Feddersen Pesendorfer, 1998). [G10] Further criticisms of the unanimity rule consider that forcing unanimous verdicts increases the time and costs of court trials, and also increases the chance of a retrial taking place (Neilson Winter, 2005; McCormick, 2012). While this supports the use of juries for deciding a persons guilt, there is conflicting research which suggests that allowing for a majority verdict may cause uncertainty in the final outcome; several studies have found that those forced to make unanimous decisions found greater satisfaction and confidence in their decisions, as they felt as though they had discussed evidence more thoroughly and delayed their voting (Diamond, Rose Murphy, 2012; Sunstein, 2014). Furthermore, OConnor (2003) argued that not having unanimity decreases confidence and reliability within the group if one juror disagrees; it is therefore contended that forcing a unanimous decision increases the principle that there is proof beyond reasonable doubt that the individual is guilty. [G11] The role of inadmissible evidence is also a concern within court cases within the United Kingdom due to the increased exposure of online materials which may sway jurors verdicts; inadmissible evidence not only includes pre-trial exposure, but also statements and information revealed in court (Lieberman Arndt, 2000). Certain safeguards are currently in place to ensure that inadmissible evidence does not affect jurors or their verdicts, such as continuance, a reliance on voir dire to remove biased jurors, deliberations, and admonitions (Lieberman Arndt, 2000). It is believed, however, that these precautions have little effect on juror prejudice and in some cases may backfire ([G12]Lieberman Sales, 1997; Lieberman Arndt, 2000; Steblay, Hosch, Culhane McWethy, 2006). This reluctance to ignore inadmissible evidence may be explained by several psychological theories such as Belief Perseverance, Hindsight Bias and Reactance Theory (Lieberman Arndt, 2000). Reactance Theory is the more commonly accepted theory behind this effect as it explains why there is a reluctance with certain forms of evidence; it occurs when individuals feel that their freedom is limited and therefore attempt to re-establish this autonomy and gain control (Torrance Brehm, 1968; Lieberman Arndt, 2000). Empirical research has been found to highlight the negative consequences of inadmissible evidence on jurors; jurors have been found to issue more guilty verdicts when strong inadmissible evidence is given, and the strength of this evidence also has the ability to influence the overall confidence in their verdict (Sue, Smith, Caldwell, 1973). Furthermore, one study conducted by Thompson, Fong and Rosenhan (1981) found that when given pro-acquittal inadmissible evidence, jurors are less likely to convict the defendant; this study also revealed that jurors were able to recognise that their decisions have been influenced by inadmissible evidence. This may be detrimental to the belief that juries are the most appropriate method of deciding an individuals guilt as it demonstrates the reluctance to follow instructions from members of authority; it further establishes that although jurors recognise that they are being influenced by inadmissible evidence, they will do little in terms of reco nsidering their final verdicts. In light of this research, several psychologists have recommended ways to lessen the impact of inadmissible evidence. One meta-analysis covering 48 studies and 8,474 participants has found that while judicial instructions do not lessen the influence of inadmissible evidence, if a rationale is given for disregarding the evidence, such as it having a negative effect on family members of those implicated, the overall influence of it is reduced (Steblay, Hosch, Culhane McWethy, 2006). Further recommendations include jurors repeatedly sworn in before deliberation begins; this allows for an emphasis on the importance of disregarding inadmissible evidence and motivation to follow the law (Lieberman Sales, 1997; Lieberman Arndt, 2000). Research regarding juror decision making has been applied to many stages in legal processes, with courts obtaining information frequently from social scientists to assist in legal battles; psychologists are commonly requested in court as expert witnesses, in cases such as eyewitness testimonies, to educate the jurors and ensure they competent when deliberating on the trial (Kassin, Ellsworth Smith, 1989; Pennington Hastie, 1990). Although the role of [G13]an expert witness calls for those of sound scientific and technical understanding to assist the jury, there are critics who argue that those who testify as an expert may hold biases; claims that researchers appearing in particularly violent or morally ambiguous cases, such as those involving rape or child molestation, may still hold personal values when issuing a statement, therefore when these personal values appear they may sway the jury in a certain direction (Loftus Monahan, 1980). In this case it is not the jurys responsibil ity to counteract this measure, however, the defence, [G14]prosecution, [G15]and judge must ensure that counterclaims are issued should bias remarks enter the court (Loftus Monahan, 1980). Nevertheless, this remains a criticism of the practicality of using juries when deciding an individuals guilt. [G16][G17] With these criticisms of the modern jury in mind, some researchers have explored alternatives to juries which include specially qualified jurors and the concept of a non-jury tribunal (Norris, 1993). There are currently few specifications when an individual is called to jury service, with exceptions including a history of mental health conditions, reduced English speaking or writing aptitude or those who have served a prison sentence in the last five years; due to the limited criteria, researchers have expressed concern that those presiding over important decisions may not possess the acumen to understand the ramifications of sentencing, therefore, minimal educational qualifications should be imposed (Norris, 1993). Norris (1993) has explained that it would be desirable that those serving on a jury hold specialist qualifications especially in complex cases, for example, a bachelors degree. [G18]Norris (1993) continues by explaining that if minimal educational qualifications are not e nough to ensure the competence of jurors, then expert non-jury tribunals may be of use in complex, industry-specific cases.   [G19][G20][G21][G22] Although juror incompetence is a concern, both of these suggestions appeal for educated jurors to be called more frequently into jury service, especially for more convoluted cases; criticisms of these improvements include the criterion in which we define a complex case, that jurors may no longer be considered peers but superiors, and that some industries are already limited in their personnel, therefore, frequently calling them to jury service may negatively affect their area of work (Hersch, 2003). Henkel (1976) explains that alternatives and improvements should be made, however, until these concerns are resolved smaller changes should be made to ensure the competence of jurors. There are several alternatives to juries which are currently used within other countries, such as the use of religious law which utilises divine doctrines to pass judgement, or a mixed system of civil and religious law which recognises cultural and lawful judgements, and full tribunals without the use of juries (Frase, 1990). Due to the mix of cultures in the United Kingdom, the reintroduction of religious law would not be advisable to improve the current judicial system. France officially abolished trial by jury in 1941 and now uses six lay judges, and three professional judges to preside over cases; in this system there are separate tribunals for how serious the offence is and the type of offence involved (Frase, 1990). While we may look to this structure to improve our own judicial system, one concern would be that they would not represent those from the community on trial, as they are more likely to come from a primarily middle class and legal background (Frase, 1990). To conclude, the criticisms offered in the current essay explain that the current judicial system is not without flaw. The structure currently used within the United Kingdom could make several improvements to increase the degree to which jurors make an appropriate decision, such as specialists which assist jurors in understanding the language used within the court system, the encouragement of note taking and taking an active role in deliberation, further precautions taken to lessen the impact of inadmissible evidence, and safeguards in place to ensure that prejudices from expert witnesses do not influence jurors in their verdicts. It is advised that policy makers take these issues into account when discussing the current regulations in place. Before we are able to implement improvements and look to other systems for advice, we must appreciate that the current judicial structure has been in the United Kingdom, and influenced other countries systems such as the United States, for a num ber of years. Although the current essay establishes that juries may not be the more appropriate method for deciding a persons guilt, until realistic alternatives are established and tested, juries will remain to be the only viable option within the United Kingdom.[G23] References Berger, B. (2011). Judges, Juries, and the History of Criminal Appeals. Law And History Review, 29(01), 297-302. doi: 10.1017/s073824801000129x. Devine, D., Clayton, L., Dunford, B., Seying, R., Pryce, J. (2001). Jury decision making: 45 years of empirical research on deliberating groups. Psychology, Public Policy, And Law, 7(3), 622-727. doi: 10.1037//1076-8971.7.3.622. Diamond, S., Murphy, B., Rose, M. (2012). The Kettleful of Law in Real Jury Deliberations: Successes and Failures. SSRN Electronic Journal, 106(4), 1537. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.1641552. Eisenberg, T., Hannaford-Agor, P., Hans, V., Waters, N., Munsterman, G., Schwab, S., Wells, M. (2005). Judge-Jury Agreement in Criminal Cases: A Partial Replication of Kalven and Zeisels The American Jury. Journal Of Empirical Legal Studies, 2(1), 171-207. doi: 10.1111/j.1740-1461.2005.00035.x. Feddersen, T. Pesendorfer, W. (1998). Convicting the Innocent: The Inferiority of Unanimous Jury Verdicts under Strategic Voting. American Political Science Review, 92(01), 23-35. doi: 10.2307/2585926. Forsterlee, L. Horowitz, I. (1997). Enhancing Juror Competence in a Complex Trial. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 11(4), 305-319. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-0720(199708)11:43.0.co;2-j. ForsterLee, L., Horowitz, I., Bourgeois, M. (1993). Juror Competence In Civil Trials: Effects Of Pre-instruction And Evidence Technicality. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 78(1), 14-21. doi: 10.1037//0021-9010.78.1.14. Frase, R. (1990). Comparative Criminal Justice as a Guide to American Law Reform: How Do the French Do It, How Can We Find out, and Why Should We Care? California Law Review, 78(3), 539. doi: 10.2307/3480841. Grofman, B., Owen, G., Feld, S. (1983). Thirteen Theorems In Search Of The Truth. Theory And Decision, 15(3), 261-278. Doi: 10.1007/bf00125672. Hans, V. (2008). Jury Systems Around the World. Annual Review Of Law And Social Science, 4(1), 275-297. doi: 10.1146/annurev.lawsocsci.4.110707.172319. Henkel, J. (1976). The Civil Jury-Modification Or Abolition. American Business Law Journal, 14(1), 97-109. doi: 10.1111/j.1744-1714.1976.tb00442.x. Hersch, J. (2003). Jury Demands and Trials. SSRN Electronic Journal, 447. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.487781. Heuer, L. Penrod, S. (1994). Juror Notetaking And Question Asking During Trials: A National Field Experiment. Law And Human Behavior, 18(2), 121-150. doi: 10.1007/bf01499012. Kassin, S., Ellsworth, P., Smith, V. (1989). The General Acceptance Of Psychological Research On Eyewitness Testimony: A Survey Of The Experts. American Psychologist, 44(8), 1089-1098. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.44.8.1089. Lieberman, J. Arndt, J. (2000). Understanding The Limits Of Limiting Instructions: Social Psychological Explanations For The Failures Of Instructions To Disregard Pretrial Publicity And Other Inadmissible Evidence. Psychology, Public Policy, And Law, 6(3), 677-711. doi: 10.1037//1076-8971.6.3.677. Lieberman, J. Sales, B. (1997). What Social Science Teaches Us About The Jury Instruction Process? Psychology, Public Policy, And Law, 3(4), 589-644. doi: 10.1037//1076-8971.3.4.589. Loftus, E. Monahan, J. (1980). Trial By Data: Psychological Research As Legal Evidence. American Psychologist, 35(3), 270-283. doi: 10.1037//0003-066x.35.3.270. McCormick, R. (2012). The Unanimous State. The Journal Of The Rutgers University Libraries, 23(1). doi: 10.14713/jrul.v23i1.1384. Neilson, W. Winter, H. (2005). The Elimination of Hung Juries: Retrials and Nonunanimous Verdicts. International Review Of Law And Economics, 25(1), 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.irle.2005.05.004. Norris, W. (1993). Relevant Conduct: Sentencing Hearings as a Substitute for Jury Trials. Federal Sentencing Reporter, 5(4), 193-194. doi: 10.2307/20639552. OConnor, S. (2003). William Howard Taft and the Importance of Unanimity. Journal Of Supreme Court History, 28(2), 157-164. doi: 10.1111/1540-5818.00061. Pennington, N. Hastie, R. (1981). Juror Decision-Making Models: The Generalization Gap. Psychological Bulletin, 89(2), 246-287. doi: 10.1037//0033-2909.89.2.246. Pennington, N. Hastie, R. (1990). Practical Implications of Psychological Research on Juror and Jury Decision Making. Personality And Social Psychology Bulletin, 16(1), 90-105. doi: 10.1177/0146167290161007. Pennington, N. Hastie, R. (1992). Explaining the evidence: Tests of the Story Model for juror decision making. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 62(2), 189-206. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.62.2.189. Saks, M. Marti, M. (1997). A Meta-Analysis Of The Effects Of Jury Size. Law And Human Behavior, 21(5), 451-467. doi: 10.1023/a:1024819605652. Salerno, J. Diamond, S. (2010). The Promise Of A Cognitive Perspective On Jury Deliberation. Psychonomic Bulletin Review, 17(2), 174-179. doi: 10.3758/pbr.17.2.174. Smith, G. Wales, C. (1999). The Theory and Practice of Citizens Juries. Policy Politics, 27(3), 295-308. doi: 10.1332/030557399782453118. Smith, G. Wales, C. (2000). Citizens Juries and Deliberative Democracy. Political Studies, 48(1), 51-65. doi: 10.1111/1467-9248.00250. Steblay, N., Hosch, H., Culhane, S., McWethy, A. (2006). The Impact on Juror Verdicts of Judicial Instruction to Disregard Inadmissible Evidence: A Meta-Analysis. Law And Human Behavior, 30(4), 469-492. doi: 10.1007/s10979-006-9039-7. Sue, S., Smith, R., Caldwell, C. (1973). Effects of Inadmissible Evidence on the Decisions of Simulated Jurors: A Moral Dilemma. Journal Of Applied Social Psychology, 3(4), 345-353. doi: /10.1111/j.1559-1816.1973.tb02401.x. Sunstein, C. (2014). Unanimity and Disagreement on the Supreme Court. SSRN Electronic Journal, 100, 769. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.2466057. Thompson, W., Fong, G., Rosenhan, D. (1981). Inadmissible Evidence And Juror Verdicts. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 40(3), 453-463. doi: 10.1037//0022-3514.40.3.453. Torrance, E. Brehm, J. (1968). A Theory of Psychological Reactance. The American Journal Of Psychology, 81(1), 133. doi: 10.2307/1420824. 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Struggling Dreams Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Several poems attempt to address social and political issues. In several of Langston Hughes’s poems, he expresses sociopolitical protests. He portrayed people whose lives were impacted by racism and sexual conflicts, he wrote about southern violence, Harlem street life, poverty, prejudice, hunger, hopelessness. Hughes’s poem a â€Å"Dream Deferred† was published in 1951. The poem speculated about the consequences of white’s society’s withholding of equal opportunity. The title of Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raison in the Sun was taken directly from Hughes’s poem. Hansberry’s parents were intellectuals and activists, and her father won an antisegregation case before the Illinois Supreme Court, upon which the events in A Raison in the Sun were loosely based. â€Å"Dream Deferred† is applied to several of the characters in Hansberry’s play.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Dream Deferred† was written during the Harlem Renaissance between the 1920s and 40s, after World War I. It was a time when African Americans began an intellectual movement. Harlem became the center of African American culture. Most African Americans began a movement to rethink their values and appreciation of their roots and Africa. Beneatha was a prime example of this from the play. She is very intellectually proud with everyone she comes into contact with; even her family. Her name Beneatha alone connotes the idea that everyone is â€Å"beneath† her. For instance, when she speaks to her moth...

MHR week asses

Knowledge is composed of which three interrelated types? Answer Declarative, practical, and strategic Declarative, practical, and skill Compilation, automatic, and strategic Declarative, procedural, and strategic None of the above 4 points Question 2 1. Which of the following is evidence supporting the assertion that companies are investing in more training? Answer Higher net sales per employee Higher gross profits per employee Higher ratios of market to book value 80th A & 3 All of the aboveQuestion 3 1. Learning Is defined as a temporary change in cognition that results from experience and may influence behavior. A relatively permanent change In understanding and thinking that results from experience and directly influences behavior. A relatively permanent change in understanding and thinking that models a temporary change In understanding and thinking. A relatively permanent change in cognition that results from self efficacy and 1 OFF Question 4 1. In the training process model, evaluation begins at which point?Answer During the design phase. During the implementation phase. During the analysis phase. During the development phase. Question 5 1. A reason there might be conflict among HARD and ODD professionals is that the ODD practitioner Answer has a more tactical approach. Tends to be seen as overly analytical. Deals with mostly middle management. 80th A & B. 80th A & C. Question 6 1. A mechanistic design is best applied in which of the following situations? Answer Non routine technologies Small businesses High volume assembly linesWhere there are not clear answers to many of the problems that arise 4 points Question 7 1. ODD interventions could be implemented more successfully if they included training where employees Answer developed a common knowledge and skill base in the area of the intervention. Understood group dynamics and became skilled at working within groups. Understood and became skilled at using a common problem solving model. Question 8 1. T he Authors use the acronym ASK to refer to what? Keep, simple, and attitude Knowledge, skills, and attitudesKnowledge, strategy, and aptitude Know, strategy, always Question 9 are the foundations for competencies. Tests SOAK'S Strengths Motivation Skill sets Question 10 1. Which best explains the strategic training alternative of the internal provider? All or most training developed in house, each phase handled by specialists, and needs developed from a decentralized HARD function All or most training purchased from outside sources, each phase handled by specialists, and needs developed from a centralized HARD function.

Cooperative Learning Tips and Techniques

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy classroom teachers use to help their students process information more quickly by having them work in small groups to accomplish a common goal. Each member that is in the group is responsible for learning the information given, and also for helping their fellow group members learn the information as well. How Does It Work? In order for Cooperative learning groups to be successful, the teacher and students must all play their part. The teachers role is to play the part as facilitator and observer, while the students must work together to complete the task. Use the following guidelines to achieve Cooperative learning success: Arrange students heterogeneously in groups as few as two and no more than six.Assign each member of the group a specific role: recorder, observer, bookkeeper, researcher, timekeeper, etc.Monitor each groups progress and teach skills necessary for task completion.Evaluate each group based upon how well they worked together and completed the task. Classroom Management Tips Noise Control: Use the talking chips strategy to control noise. Whenever a student needs to speak in the group they must place their chip in the middle of the table.Getting Students Attention: Have a signal to get students attention. For example, clap two times, raise your hand, ring a bell, etc.Answering Questions: Create a policy where if a group member has a question they must ask the group first before asking the teacher.Use a Timer: Give students a predetermined time for completing the task. Use a timer or stopwatch.Model Instruction: Before handing out the assignment model the instruction of the task and make sure every student understands what is expected. Common Techniques Here are six common cooperative learning techniques to try in your classroom. Jig-Saw: Students are grouped into five or six and each group member is assigned a specific task then must come back to their group and teach them what they learned.Think-Pair-Share: Each member in a group thinks about a question they have from what they just learned, then they pair-up with a member in the group to discuss their responses. Finally they share what they learned with the rest of the class or group.Round Robin: Students are placed into a group of four to six people. Then one person is assigned to be the recorder of the group. Next, the group is assigned a question that has multiple answers to it. Each student goes around the table and answers the question while the recorder writes down their answers.Numbered Heads: Each group member is given a number (1, 2, 3, 4, etc). The teacher then asks the class a question and each group must come together to find an answer. After the time is up the teacher calls a number and only the student with that number may answer the question .  Team-Pair-Solo: Students work together in a group to solve a problem. Next they work with a partner to solve a problem, and finally, they work by themselves to solve a problem. This strategy uses the theory that students can solve more problems with help then they can alone. Students then progress to the point that they can solve the problem on their own only after first being in a team and then paired with a partner.Three-Step Review: The teacher predetermines groups before a lesson. Then, as the lesson progresses, the teacher stops and gives groups three minutes to review what was taught and ask each other any questions they may have.