In it to win it: Why we like to compete

Ever wonder why some people have to win it all, whether in a game of sports or the game of life?

The SEA Games will take place in Thailand this year, and athletes from Southeast Asia are gearing up to compete for medals. Have you ever wondered what motivates athletes to strive for gold?

While a lot of factors come into play, let’s look at what are the common drives are that athletes experience when they’re faced with their next game.

Love of the game

Just like with any passion or hobby, some athletes start with a sport because they fall in love with it. It can begin with something simple like watching a martial artist do a fight scene on TV or watching a sports anime and realizing that you wanted to play on that court for yourself.

Others, especially younger kids who are still exploring possibilities, may enter into a sport and compete while fueled by extrinsic motivation. In psychology, this is defined as the drive to perform as expected by parents or coaches, or to gain approval from others. While such an urge is not essentially a negative form of motivation but rather a starting point, eventually, it evolves.

Because passion or external rewards will not always fuel skill and improvement—just as love and satisfaction alone are not enough to keep relationships going—over time, this love for the game translates to other ways of working on and improving oneself. 

The way to get better

As athletes improve, the phrase from a popular competitive show begins to resonate: I want to be the very best. There comes a tendency or a drive to start comparing yourself to others and see how your performance fares alongside theirs.

In psychology, this is known as social comparison. This phenomenon is a person’s tendency to self-evaluate through comparison with a peer, which then becomes a main driver for a sense of competition. According to research, improvement in one’s performance is typically driven by upward comparison, wherein a person compares himself to someone who is better and can serve as an inspiration for performance.

The concept of intrinsic motivation also comes into play. Compared to extrinsic motivation, this is more concerned with what internally drives a person. In some cases, it can be a mastery of the craft, a pure enjoyment of the sport, or even the social experience it brings.

A study from the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity found these traits in older athletes and older individuals who participate in more competitive sports. Themes of seeking a good challenge, showing competence through mastering a new skill, being committed to continuing for the fun of it, and making connections with their teammates all fueled their competitive spirit to keep up with the game.

A self-concept, an innate trait

Self-concept is a person’s idea of himself or herself. Technically, one’s self-concept develops with the experiences, encounters, and environments that one has throughout their lifetime.

According to the research, “Athletes also rate their physical abilities as being more important’ as a description of themselves than non-athletes.” This becomes more important the more central the person’s characteristics and the sport or craft are.

Trait competitiveness may also fuel a person’s drive. This is defined as a person’s relatively stable desire to win interpersonal situations. People have varying degrees and manifestations of this trait—and the stronger it is, the more likely a person will participate in competitions, take risks, and go beyond the norm or the expected.

In a study in Personality and Individual Differences, researchers discovered, “Even the least competitive among us will strive for victory when it truly matters, but some people maintain a competitive fire even when situational pressures are weak.”

Not just for me, but for the family and the future

In the Philippines, as with any other craft, sports can also be a way to cement a future. Pia Cayetano mentions in her podcast My Daily Race, “For many Filipino athletes, sports isn’t just a game—it’s a way to a brighter future. It’s a way to rise above challenges, support their families, and carve a future they never thought possible.”

Among the known Filipino athletes who have proven this are Manny Pacquiao, Carlos Yulo, Nesthy Petecio, and Hidilyn Diaz.

The brothers Felipe are also facing similar challenges in the upcoming SEA Games. Their hard work and dedication to the craft of fencing is a way to secure a path for education and a positive future—while also bringing glory to Philippine athletics.

Be it in sports or in everyday life, competition has a role in improvement and mastery. How about you? Where does competition play a role in your life, and what benefits do you see at play?

 

 

With the SEA Games coming up, here’s a look at what drives the competitive spirit.

 

 

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