The Psychology of Competition: How Social Comparison Drives (and Dampens) Our Drive with Dr Steven Garcia

This episode dives into the psychology of competition through the lens of social comparison theory. Dr Steven Garcia explains how we compete not just because of our goals, but because we anticipate others may outperform us or we observe them doing so. He discusses why some people are more competitive than others, how group size and relationship closeness affect motivation, and when rivalry becomes healthy or harmful. The conversation also covers gender and cultural differences in competitive settings, the value of competing against oneself versus others, and practical advice for dealing with overly competitive friends or relatives. The takeaway: healthy competition can propel achievement, but excessive or poorly formed competition can erode well-being and relationships.

Introduction: Defining Competition through Social Comparison

The episode centers on understanding competition as a function of social comparison. Dr Steven Garcia clarifies that competition arises whenever we expect someone to outperform us or observe others doing so, which motivates us to narrow the performance gap. This framing shifts the focus from competition as a fixed trait to it being situational and relational, shaped by who we compare ourselves to and in what context.

"I use the lens of social comparison theory to understand competitive behavior, and basically, whenever we anticipate that someone is going to outperform us or if we observe someone outperforming us, we're going to behave competitively to minimize the gap in performance" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

Who Is Competitive? Traits and Mindsets

The discussion moves to individual differences, highlighting trait competitiveness and the concern for social comparison as predictors of competitive behavior. Garcia notes that people high in trait competitiveness are more likely to push in competitive settings, but other factors like how much someone cares about how they compare to others also drive competitive drive. The conversation then connects competition to growth versus fixed mindsets, explaining that a growth mindset supports viewing competition as a path to growth rather than a threat to self-worth.

"growth mindsets are better off psychologically than those who have fixed mindsets" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

Situational Factors: How Many, How Close, and How You Compare

Garcia discusses how the number of competitors can sometimes dampen motivation, countering the common belief that more competitors increase drive. In experiments with easy quizzes, participants in smaller competitor pools finished faster when prizes went to the top performers, while larger pools reduced the incentive to outpace rivals. The social comparison framework explains why small, tightly matched groups often foster stronger competitive motivation than sprawling ones.

"When you have many competitors, you're just not as motivated to compete as when you have only a few" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

Rivalries, Relationships, and Healthy Competition

The episode moves to the quality of rivalries, contrasting respectful, close rivalries with those built on hostility. Garcia notes that unhealthy rivalries can lead to unethical behavior, while healthy rivals can push each other toward excellence. He also discusses how observing or competing against someone better can serve as an anchor for improvement, and how choosing partners who slightly surpass us can facilitate skill development.

"In some rivalries, they're not built on a close or amicable or respectful relationship... you might see more unethical behaviors" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

Gender, Culture, and Cross-National Differences in Competition

The conversation highlights robust findings from behavioral economics and cross-cultural studies. Men are more likely to enter competitive tournaments and prefer larger contest formats, while women tend to favor smaller, less competitive structures. The frog pond effect shows Americans preferring to be the big fish in a small pond, while Eastern Asian participants often prefer an average position in a larger, higher-status pond, illustrating how cultural context shapes competition preferences.

"men gravitate toward larger competitions, whereas women gravitate toward smaller competitions" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

From Competition to Cooperation: Dealing with Overly Competitive People

Garcia offers practical strategies for managing relationships with overly competitive individuals, suggesting reframing competitive moments as social activities, like watching games together or organizing light competition in the backyard. The focus is on preserving joy and connection while still allowing healthy rivalry to flourish, recognizing that true well-being comes from balance between striving and enjoying shared experiences.

"sometimes if I'm in an elevator... competitiveness can steal your joy, and the view is just as good from the 22nd floor as the 25th" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis

Takeaways and What Comes Next

The discussion closes with reflections on how competition can drive innovation and achievement at individual and group levels, but only when channeled constructively. Garcia hints at ongoing research on inequality and the dynamics of pay and payoff distribution, signaling a broader interest in how competition intersects with fairness and social dynamics in real-world settings.

"being competitive can help propel you... so long as you approach it as one battle in a broader war" - Doctor Steven Garcia, Professor, UC Davis