By Amna Rida
From childhood games and school exams to university admission, we have all competed in one form or another. Even when it is not obvious in the form of contest or performance, competition is seen everywhere. Broadly speaking, competition has evolved throughout the centuries, what once was a means of survival has now become a tool for motivation, success, and personal growth. Today, how we compete is heavily influenced by our society, culture and of course our individual personalities.
You would have often heard the terms healthy competition and unhealthy competition in your life, and in various contexts. Before we take a closer look at the psychological and biological factors behind competitiveness, let’s talk about what these two terms actually mean. Healthy competitiveness focuses on personal growth, skill improvement, and enjoying the challenge itself. People with this mindset push their limits while respecting others, leading to motivation, resilience, and a sense of accomplishment. On the other hand, unhealthy competitiveness stems from insecurity, fear of failure, or the desire for external validation, often resulting in stress, strained relationships, or even (rarely) unethical behaviour. Understanding these details helps explain why some people thrive in competitive settings while others burn out, and why balance is essential. That being said, there are multiple factors that come into play when we look at the ‘science of competition’. Now, we’ll explore it through two main lenses: the mind—abstract, psychology side, and what’s happening in the brain—something a bit more tangible (as a medic, I love this because it’s more concrete!) And yes, it is a very complex system, but I guarantee, it’s equally exciting to learn about.
Psychology shows that competitiveness exists on a spectrum: some people are relatively laid-back, others highly driven, and a few seem obsessed with winning at all costs. Factors like social comparison, self-esteem, and motivation play a huge role. People motivated by external awards like status, recognition, or the desire to outperform others tend to be more intensely competitive, while those driven by internal goals, like mastering a skill, often engage in competition more selectively.
I came across a saying in one online article that summed this concept up nicely:” If a bear is chasing both of us, I don’t need to outrun the bear; I just need to outrun you”. In today’s world the ‘bear’ represents anything – namely economic uncertainty, job insecurity or simply the fear of being left behind. Many people push themselves harder to keep ahead because falling behind seems risky, almost like getting ‘caught by the bear’. This mindset eventually changes the concept of competition into something toxic or unhealthy that is more about survival and less about growth. Even evolutionary perspectives, as mentioned earlier, suggest a balance: highly competitive individuals may gain more resources quickly but take bigger risks, whereas less competitive people often prioritise efficiency and steady gains.
So, what factors really influence our level of competitiveness? Studies show that a number of social, environmental, and genetic factors play a role. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to be competitive, but their upbringing, including cultural
expectations, family values, and early exposure to competitive activities can either strengthen or weaken it. In some cases, situational factors, like being part of a challenging team or working in a competitive industry or workplace, can also push people to compete harder, whereas supportive or collaborative settings may lower competitive intensity. Now, how competitive someone becomes depends on the full context of their situation, which is why competitiveness can take many forms. All of this helps to understand not just why we compete, but when and how competition brings out our best (or worst).
So far, we’ve looked at how competition is heavily influenced by our social circumstances and status. But what’s really happening in the brain? If we zoom in, we can see that multiple regions of the brain are involved, but the medial prefrontal cortex stands out, as it plays a key role in decision-making and processing social information. Other areas, like superior and inferior parietal lobes, anterior insula, and anterior cingulate cortex, also play important roles. One study in particular highlights how activity in the anterior cingulate cortex can literally turn the competitive switch on and off. The study tracked large cohorts of mice across thousands of unique competitive group interactions. Scientists discovered that neurons in the anterior cingulate cortex store social ranking information. Manipulating the activity of these neurons could artificially increase or decrease an animal’s competitive effort, effectively controlling their ability to succeed against others. These findings suggest that competitive success isn’t just about physical fitness or strength, but it’s also strongly influenced by signals in the brain that drive our associated behaviour. (It is worth noting that most studies done on human behaviour focus on individuals, but competition usually unfolds in groups, making research on the neuroscience of competition still relatively limited.)
While these insights help us understand competitiveness, they only explain part of the picture, actual progress and success often depends on access to resources and support. Here, I would like to mention that it is as important to remember that we don’t all compete on a level playing field, and even the strongest internal drive can fall short against external barriers. Importantly, at the end of the day, competition is more than our drive to win or succeed, it is a window into the complexities of how we think, feel and act – shaped by our minds, brains and also the environment.
By focusing on self-improvement, practicing fair play, and nurturing a growth mindset we can help guide competitive drive in ways that support both our achievement and our well-being.
References:
Psychology Today. (2024). The Psychology of Competitiveness. [online] Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/here-there-and-everywhere/202408/the-psychology-of-competitiveness.
Eastern Oregon University (2020). Psychology of Competitiveness | Eastern Oregon University Online. [online] Eastern Oregon University. Available at: https://online.eou.edu/resources/article/psychology-of-competitiveness/.
Massachusetts General Hospital. (2024). Scientists identify neurons that drive competition and social behavior. [online] Available at: https://www.massgeneral.org/news/press-release/scientists-identify-neurons-that-drive-competition-and-social-behavior.
