A little competition can do wonders for motivation. However it seems that too much can seriously damage it.

Researchers from the University of Haifa and the University of Michigan have been examining the effect of competitor numbers on results. In US university entrance SAT results they found a negative correlation between numbers taking the tests and average test scores. In other words, the more people taking the test, the lower the average result!

Although the researchers “took into consideration differences between the states in relevant socioeconomic variables”, they still wanted more focussed figures. So they carried out two sets of controlled tests with students and found the same results: if the students knew they were competing against a larger group, average results fell.

Dr Avishalom Tor of the University of Haifa said:

It is a well-established fact that subjective factors influence our motivation to compete. Our new studies have shown that objective factors, such as the size of a competing group, also have an effect on motivation

Introducing an element of competition is often used by managers and life coaches as a motivational factor. So the question now is, at what point does this become counter-productive? The point at which “I can’t beat all of them” outweighs “I want to win” is likely to vary from person to person.

The research also has potential economic and political ramifications. Does it apply at the company level? We’re always being told that increased competition in the market makes everyone work harder and benefits us all. But could too much competition actually result in a less efficient market? If so, many economics textbooks will need to be rewritten.

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