Competition

Definition

Competition refers to the situation where individuals or groups strive to outperform others in order to gain limited resources, such as money, power, or recognition. It can lead to feelings of rivalry and hostility between competing parties.

Related terms

Cooperation: Cooperation is when individuals work together towards a common goal, sharing resources and helping each other. In contrast to competition, cooperation promotes positive relationships and reduces conflict.

Social identity theory: Social identity theory suggests that people's self-esteem is partly based on their identification with certain social groups. This theory explains how competition between different groups can contribute to prejudice and discrimination.

Zero-sum game: In a zero-sum game, the total gains or losses are balanced, meaning that any benefit obtained by one individual or group comes at the expense of another. Competition often resembles a zero-sum game because there are winners and losers based on limited resources.