How people think about competition and winning
Core finding
Adults separated competition as a way to test ability from a more absolute belief that winning matters no matter what.
Roughly 63% agreed at least somewhat that they enjoy competition because it helps them discover their abilities. About 60% disagreed at least somewhat that winning is the most important thing no matter what.
Competition as self-discovery drew agreement
Roughly 29% somewhat agreed, 22% agreed, and 13% strongly agreed that they enjoy competition because it helps them discover their abilities.
Combined, about 63% agreed at least somewhat with the statement. Roughly 16% disagreed at least somewhat, and 21% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Crosstab view
63% agreed that competition helps them discover ability, while 23% agreed that winning matters no matter what.
I enjoy competition as it allows me to discover my abilities.
The most important thing is winning, no matter what.
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Winning at any cost drew disagreement
About 27% strongly disagreed and 21% disagreed that the most important thing is winning, no matter what. Another 13% somewhat disagreed.
The agreement side was smaller. Roughly 23% agreed at least somewhat, while 17% neither agreed nor disagreed.
Stacked breakdown
60% disagreed at least somewhat that winning is the most important thing no matter what.
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
The paired items point to a boundary
The two results are not opposites. Adults were open to competition when it was framed as learning about ability, but they were less accepting of a statement that made winning the overriding goal.
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults who completed both waves of the survey |
| Field dates | Apr 19–27, 2023 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.6% |
| Module | MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
Please rate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: I enjoy competition as it allows me to discover my abilities.
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
Please rate the extent to which you agree or disagree with the following statement: The most important thing is winning, no matter what.
Cite this topic
MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032, fielded April 19-27, 2023, N=1,000 United States adults who completed both waves of the survey, +/- 3.6%.