Competition and Cooperation

Competition and Cooperation
(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and cooperation have

evolved over the time. Early research into competition and cooperation defined each of
them in terms of the distribution of rewards related to each. Competition was defined as a
situation in which rewards are distributed unequally on the basis of performance,
cooperation on the other hand, was defined as a situation in which rewards are distributed
equally on the basis of mutual interactive behavior among individuals. By this definition, a
competitive situation requires at least on competitor to fail for each competitor that wins,
while a cooperative situation offers a reward only if all members of the group receive it.
(2) Researchers have found definitions of competition and cooperation based upon
rewards inadequate primarily because definitions of these two concepts based upon
rewards depict them as opposite. In current understanding, competition is not viewed as
opposite of cooperation, instead, cooperation is viewed as integral component of
competition. Cooperation is necessary among team members, perhaps in a sporting event
or in a political race, in order to win the competition, it is equally important to understand
that cooperation is of great importance between teams in that same sporting event or
ground rules of the game or election in order to compete.
(3) Interestingly, the word competition is derived from a Latin verb which means “to seek
together.” An understanding of the derivation of the word competition supports the
understanding that cooperation, rather than evoking a characteristic at the opposite
extreme of human nature from competition, is in reality a necessary factor in competition.
Competition and Cooperation
(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and cooperation have

evolved over the time. Early research into competition and cooperation defined each of
them in terms of the distribution of rewards related to each. Competition was defined as a
situation in which rewards are distributed unequally on the basis of performance,
cooperation on the other hand, was defined as a situation in which rewards are distributed
equally on the basis of mutual interactive behavior among individuals. By this definition, a
competitive situation requires at least on competitor to fail for each competitor that wins,
while a cooperative situation offers a reward only if all members of the group receive it.
(2) Researchers have found definitions of competition and cooperation based upon
rewards inadequate primarily because definitions of these two concepts based upon
rewards depict them as opposite. In current understanding, competition is not viewed as
opposite of cooperation, instead, cooperation is viewed as integral component of
competition. Cooperation is necessary among team members, perhaps in a sporting event
or in a political race, in order to win the competition, it is equally important to understand
that cooperation is of great importance between teams in that same sporting event or
ground rules of the game or election in order to compete.
(3) Interestingly, the word competition is derived from a Latin verb which means “to seek
together.” An understanding of the derivation of the word competition supports the
understanding that cooperation, rather than evoking a characteristic at the opposite
extreme of human nature from competition, is in reality a necessary factor in competition.
“Competition and Cooperation”
Motivating Introduction
1. Start your class with a spelling contest. Form two teams. Ten words will be given. For every word to be
spelled, each team will choose its representative who will compete with the other team.
2. Help the students process their learning from this experience with working in a group and competing
with another.
Lesson Proper
1. Discuss the definition of competition and cooperation in class.
2. Ask the students if they noticed similarities and/or contradictions in the definition and application of
these two concepts. Call the attention of the students to the mechanics of holding contests or
competition. The competing teams act in harmony with each other, agreeing on the terms of
competition, the rules of the contest, the general conduct of the event. Without cooperation, the
competition will not achieve its goals.
Post-Lesson Activity
1. Ask the students to gather information from the last election. Tell them to identify the candidates who
ran for the Senate. Indicate the political parties they belonged to.
2. Ask the students to discuss how competition and cooperation work during the election campaign
period.
3. How do competition and cooperation work within the family?

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Competition and Cooperation

(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and cooperation have

Competition and Cooperation

(1) Explanations of the interrelation between competition and cooperation have

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