How competition in school affects the personality of teenagers
Strong rivalry in the school environment can change not only the behaviour but also the very personality of adolescents.
This is according to a new study by scientists from the University of Würzburg, published in the Journal of the European Economic Association.
As Professor Fabian Kosse, Head of the Department of Data Science in Business and Economics, explains, years of competition reduces the level of trust and willingness to help others in young people. And the effects persist even years after the end of the school programme.
The study was conducted in Chile, which has a government programme called PACE, which supports talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The programme entitles those pupils who are in the top 15% of their school to enter university without entrance exams.
This creates a powerful motivation and at the same time triggers a two-year race for results. To get into this ranking, pupils need to demonstrate a high level of knowledge in all subjects throughout the school period, not just in the final exams.
Researchers compared 64 schools participating in PACE with 64 schools where the programme did not apply. In total, more than 5,000 high school students participated in the study. To test the adolescents' level of social orientation, the researchers conducted surveys among students, teachers and school administrators, including questions about trust, mutual aid and altruism.
It turned out that participation in PACE leads to a noticeable decrease in prosocial behaviour - students become less inclined to trust others, to help without benefit and to cooperate. And this effect does not disappear even four years after the end of participation in the programme.
Thus, the study proved for the first time: competition over time affects not only behaviour in the moment, but also personality formation.
The authors suggest several solutions that could mitigate the negative effects of competition:
Change the framework of competition. Instead of comparing within one school, offer pupils to compete within a region - among all representatives of socially vulnerable groups. This reduces localised tensions and encourages greater co-operation within classes.
Stimulating team spirit. If the competition is between schools rather than between classmates, it can build a sense of community within learning teams and even increase prosociality.