Comments on: Does having more competitors lower the motivation to compete? http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/ Dive into the awe-inspiring, beautiful and quirky world of science news with award-winning writer Ed Yong. No previous experience required. Sat, 26 May 2012 10:52:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Yuvraj http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-40246 Yuvraj Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:47:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-40246 Dear Ed, I was wondering if there I any answer on how to counter such reduction in motivation levels and will to compete when competition becomes tougher. Apart from working hard, training, etc. Because this will only follow after the psychological barriers are broken down. One answer can be having self belief or perhaps constantly thinking of the end goal which drives you. But I'm not content with just this for various reasons and this also does not work in all cases (of say competitive exams, etc.). Please tell if there is any answer on how to counter such thoughts and be more motivated. You are simply awesome. I love your posts. I'm law student from India. :) Dear Ed,

I was wondering if there I any answer on how to counter such reduction in motivation levels and will to compete when competition becomes tougher.

Apart from working hard, training, etc. Because this will only follow after the psychological barriers are broken down.

One answer can be having self belief or perhaps constantly thinking of the end goal which drives you. But I’m not content with just this for various reasons and this also does not work in all cases (of say competitive exams, etc.). Please tell if there is any answer on how to counter such thoughts and be more motivated.

You are simply awesome. I love your posts. I’m law student from India. :)

]]> By: Yuvraj http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-39597 Yuvraj Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:01:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-39597 I guess the adage "too many cooks spoil the broth" is quite expanisve in nature, eh?! From personal experience I can say that there is definitely some truth in the author's assertion! :-) I guess the adage “too many cooks spoil the broth” is quite expanisve in nature, eh?! From personal experience I can say that there is definitely some truth in the author’s assertion! :-)

]]> By: Ben http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4306 Ben Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:24:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4306 Is it possible that this phenonmenon is related to the same underlying cause of the bystander effect (people are less likely to help out in an emergency situation the more people that are around), social loafing, or even groupthink? That is there is a diffusion of "responsibility" - so that the larger the group the less individuals feel "responsible" for their behavior? Is it possible that this phenonmenon is related to the same underlying cause of the bystander effect (people are less likely to help out in an emergency situation the more people that are around), social loafing, or even groupthink? That is there is a diffusion of “responsibility” – so that the larger the group the less individuals feel “responsible” for their behavior?

]]> By: gyges http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4305 gyges Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:53:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4305 Does this mean that the smaller the class size the greater the competition? Hence, the pupils tend to work harder and get higher grades? Does this mean that the smaller the class size the greater the competition? Hence, the pupils tend to work harder and get higher grades?

]]> By: Andy Harris http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4304 Andy Harris Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:40:52 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4304 I enjoyed your post. I wonder if this N-effect has any correlation to the size of companies or the team sizes inside of companies? Under the assumption that smaller companies typically react to market changes faster than bigger ones, an individual may contribute more when they think they have a better chance at standing out amongst their peers inside a smaller company thereby adding to the competitive advantage of that company. So, in larger companies that align themselves with small nearly autonomous teams, they might be able to activate that N-effect to their advantage in same way that small companies inherently do. Google, IBM, and Proctor&Gamble come to mind as companies that consistently innovate and keep their teams small. They are all insanely profitable too. It might not be related to the N-effect, but I think if the research effectively proves the N-effect exists with test takers, then why not competition in the work place that has much more at stake than a couple bucks? I enjoyed your post. I wonder if this N-effect has any correlation to the size of companies or the team sizes inside of companies? Under the assumption that smaller companies typically react to market changes faster than bigger ones, an individual may contribute more when they think they have a better chance at standing out amongst their peers inside a smaller company thereby adding to the competitive advantage of that company. So, in larger companies that align themselves with small nearly autonomous teams, they might be able to activate that N-effect to their advantage in same way that small companies inherently do. Google, IBM, and Proctor&Gamble come to mind as companies that consistently innovate and keep their teams small. They are all insanely profitable too. It might not be related to the N-effect, but I think if the research effectively proves the N-effect exists with test takers, then why not competition in the work place that has much more at stake than a couple bucks?

]]> By: d http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4303 d Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:48:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4303 it seems like its not just competition, but also probability of winning. getting more facebook friends against 10 people, cool youd probably win. against 10,000, who cares you probably wont. the SAT correlation was more interesting, as this test is supposed to reflect the individual's performance and capabilities more than a ranking/winning. Perhaps a talent contest would be more accurate to isolate one's competitiveness over perception of ranking probabilities (america's got talent?) it seems like its not just competition, but also probability of winning. getting more facebook friends against 10 people, cool youd probably win. against 10,000, who cares you probably wont.
the SAT correlation was more interesting, as this test is supposed to reflect the individual’s performance and capabilities more than a ranking/winning. Perhaps a talent contest would be more accurate to isolate one’s competitiveness over perception of ranking probabilities (america’s got talent?)

]]> By: Lilian Nattel http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4302 Lilian Nattel Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:46:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4302 That's interesting, especially in the situations it may apply to. Gives me food for thought re my kids. That’s interesting, especially in the situations it may apply to. Gives me food for thought re my kids.

]]> By: Aldebrn http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/comment-page-1/#comment-4301 Aldebrn Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:17:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2009/06/28/does-having-more-competitors-lower-the-motivation-to-compete/#comment-4301 I've frequently noticed a strong random component on my grades, for individual exams and in overall courses. At least 50% of my undergrad & grad classes I feel my final grade greatly over- or underestimated my skill. Maybe at some level, individuals understand this and so approach competitive situations more as *lotteries* than a measure of mastery. (I think a similar random component always shows up in the few competitive sports I play as well. Sales also seem to be a strongly random vocation.) If individuals do partially attribute their performance to luck, then one would expect them to try harder when the odds of "winning" are better, and just give up against poor odds. Many other explanations also fit the data at this stage :) Great post Ed. I’ve frequently noticed a strong random component on my grades, for individual exams and in overall courses. At least 50% of my undergrad & grad classes I feel my final grade greatly over- or underestimated my skill. Maybe at some level, individuals understand this and so approach competitive situations more as *lotteries* than a measure of mastery. (I think a similar random component always shows up in the few competitive sports I play as well. Sales also seem to be a strongly random vocation.)
If individuals do partially attribute their performance to luck, then one would expect them to try harder when the odds of “winning” are better, and just give up against poor odds. Many other explanations also fit the data at this stage :)
Great post Ed.

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