The Causes and Effects of Competition

When competition is brought up, it is usually thought of as something to do with a sport. However, there are multiples of different categories competition can take place in, in a capitalist society, competition is what makes the world go around. Competition, rivalry for supremacy, positively impacts the society by keeping prices low. However, competition has negative affects on the society as well. It can impact your learning, achievement, and health. Even though in American society it is needed for us to be economically stable, it also has negative consequences on us.

In the American education, Competition is seen. Where students strive to win by being the smartest or fastest on an academic task. This can impact a students achievement. Teachers use the idea of competition to influence goal orientations, which can turn into an influence for their motivation in learning. However, competition can get in the way and distract the students from actually retaining the material. Rather they are more focused on performing better than the other students. Children who constantly win at the competitive tasks may lose interest in the material and over time will put the minimal amount of effort required to outperform the others, rather than improving their skills. In addition, if there is not much of a prize, the students use minimal effort. Conversely, “if the same student s lose over and over, despite their efforts, they will see these tests as unfair and eventually give up.” They don't feel that it is worth the try if they are gonna fail anyways. These students will evaluate school negatively and see it as a threatening place to be. In addition, they will see themselves as failures, not impressing their peers.

On the other hand, Finland's education system is less competitive, focusing on their students retaining the material rather than competing for a praise. “Finnish pupils are not assessed using numerical grades that would enable direct comparison with one another before 5th grade. Only descriptive assessments and feedback are used.” In addition, students do not have standardized testing for what they have learned. Finnish schools focus on the idea of group work and helping each other build skills. They believe schools and students must compete less. Instead, schools should increase internal collaboration. Co-operation and networking rather than competition and disconnectedness should lead the education policies and development of education systems.” It is assumed that putting minds together, communication, and thinking will maximize collaboration and minimize competition. In addition, students are not graded with numerical grades that will enable comparison with one another. The equal opportunity insists that all students must be offered a fair chance to be successful and to enjoy learning. “Finland has managed to make teaching one of the most desirable career choices among young Finns. Consequently, teaching is now a highly selective occupation in Finland, with well-trained professionals spread throughout the country."

When competing or preparing for an upcoming competition, “the body starts to prepare for the demands to come by releasing hormones such as epinephrine into the bloodstream, setting in motion the physiological changes associated with increased arousal (sometimes referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response)." This 'fight or flight' response can be your worst enemy or your best friend. Sports are a great way for kids to have fun and make new friends. However, when out on the field, it is not always fun and games. Competition gets involved. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming -- and that can lead to a lot of frustration and tears. Pressure gets external for the kids and for most of them it comes naturally to be a perfectionist. "Kids try to satisfy the demands of a parent, coach or other figure and end up feeling like winning is the only way to gain the approval of the people they respect." Positively, sports help children develop teamwork skills, self-confidence, and other personal strengths. Negatively, athletes develop aggressive traits, like bullying, to dominate their opponents on and off the field.

America, being the land of opportunity, gives us the opportunity of achieving it. However, it does come with the stress of competing with others. Positively, competition allows American market prices to stay low and affordable. Sadly, it has its cons, making people stressed and insecure in chasing success. However, Finnish education systems avoid the idea of competing for rewards and promote communication and team work. This system allows every student to work at their own pace and not worry about the other students. Competition can bring the world good, yet it has the tendencies to create stress or making those who are successful not expand their knowledge. It creates aggression and conflict. Competition is everywhere and is hard to avoid in a capitalist society. However, in Scandinavian countries, they have found a system to do just that.