Competition is harmful: Study shows how competition destroys trust

Competition is harmful: Study shows how competition destroys trust

A new study from the University of Würzburg sheds light on the effects of incentive systems and competition on the personality development of young people. It's clear: constant competition makes people less helpful and changes trust among young people. The study, based on the PACE education program in Chile, covers over 5,000 students and examines the long-lasting effects of intense competition.

How does competition influence behavior? The results are sobering: over two school years, the willingness to help among the participating students is measurably reduced, and these negative effects continue four years after the end of the competition. The PACE program gave the top 15 percent of students direct access to university, which further increased the competitive pressure. Research shows that short-term performance gains through competition can have long-term social costs. GMX reports that….

The long-term perspective

In collaboration with Ranjita Rajan from the Karta Initiative in Oxford and Michela Tincani from University College London, the study data was evaluated based on government data and our own surveys on school atmosphere and prosocial behavior. The competition intensified over two years and was examined at 64 PACE schools and 64 control schools. Researchers such as Professor Fabian Kosse emphasize the relevance of these findings for the professional world. The use of incentive systems in companies, such as awards for high sales figures, can increase productivity in the short term - but cooperation and trust among employees often suffer. Ruhr Campus Online describes that...

The majority of companies use incentive systems to increase employee motivation. What is often overlooked is that intangible incentives can also be crucial, as they are not only more cost-effective but often significantly increase effectiveness. The principle of carrot and stick is firmly anchored in many organizations. Effective incentive systems can also increase motivation by 30 percent or more, as various studies show. However, the focus should not only be on monetary incentives. WPGS shows that...

Contrasts in the incentive system

It is interesting that the negative effects of incentives are not only visible in schools. Similar challenges also arise in the work environment when it comes to interpersonal relationships and teamwork._negative incentives such as overwork or social rejection can put a significant strain on motivation. In the long term, companies should think about how they can encourage collaboration rather than further intensifying constant competition.

In summary, the question is how to create a healthy mix of incentives that both rewards performance and promotes social interaction. The insights gained from the Würzburg study are therefore not only important for educational institutions, but also for companies that operate in an increasingly competitive world.