ü Introduction
A fundamental, universal, and impersonal aspect of social interaction is competition. Being the foundation of all other forms of relationship, it is elementary. Each person is entangled in a large web of antagonistic interactions in innumerable ways that he is typically ignorant of.
Competition Definition, meaning and types
Competition takes on an impersonal quality due to the competing units' lack of awareness. The struggle for existence is the most visible of the different concrete forms. Every form of life is constantly at war with the impersonal forces of nature that permeate the entire natural world for the right to live.
Competition Definition, meaning and types
Each form's enemies engage in constant combat with it. In human culture, the struggle for survival is rarely as brutal for survival as it is in the animal kingdom. In human society, the conflict is typically for livelihood rather than for the means of subsistence. Humans fight for material security as well as for position, authority, and status. It permeates practically every aspect of existence.
Ø Definitions:
Competition is a conflict for rewards that are in short supply, such as money, products, position, power, or even love (Horton and Hunt, 1964). It involves attempting to outperform all competitors in order to receive a prize.
Competition is defined as "the striving of two or more persons or organisations for the same goal which is limited such that all cannot share it" by Biesanzand Biesanz (1964).
Competition is an impersonal, unconscious, ongoing fight between people or groups for satisfaction that, due to their finite supply, all may not have, according to Sutherland, Woodward, and Maxwell (1961).
It's crucial to remember that throughout competition, contestants' attention is constantly directed onto the prize or goal rather than themselves. The rivalry develops when attention or interest shifts from the objectives of competition to the competitors themselves. In challenging situations, rivalry can occasionally result in conflict.
Competition Definition, meaning and types
Ø Competition characteristics:
The competition's nature is determined by the factors listed below:
(1)Conflict in competition is impersonal:
Competition is described by Park and Burgess as "engagement without social contact." In other terms, it is an impersonal conflict between individuals. The contestants are typically not in contact with one another and are unfamiliar with one another; it is not usually addressed to any one person or group in particular.
The majority of the time, competition is not personalised. It is referred to as impersonal competition when people compete with one another in groups rather than on a personal basis, such as businesses, social or cultural organisations, tribes, nations, political parties, etc.
(2) Participating in competition is unconscious:
The unconscious level of competition is present. While it is true that there are only a fixed amount of honours available and that if certain members of the class receive them, the honours are immediately refused by others, students, for example, do not view their classmates as competitors.
There is no doubt that students may be aware of the competition and quite concerned with their grades. Competition continues as long as participants' attention is directed toward the prize or other objectives they are pursuing rather than the rival. Rivalry or personal competition occurs when attention shifts from the objects of competition to the contestants themselves.
(3) The Universality of Competition
Even though it is a key component of modern society, competition exists in all communities, whether they are prehistoric, traditional, modern, or primitive.
(4) Constant Competition:
It is an ongoing procedure. Consciously or unknowingly, it occurs constantly. It is unstable and frequently gives way to either conflict or cooperation.
(5) Restrained competition:
It suggests that there are ground rules that all players must abide by. Conflict arises when competitors breach the rules or when the competition becomes fiercely competitive (unrestrained).
(6) Competition Is For Limited Supplies (Rewards)
There wouldn't be any competition if the subject of the competition was available in sufficient or unlimited quantities. Sunlight and air are infinite and are not in competition.
Ø Types of competition:
The two main categories of competition are as follows:
(1) Personal competition:Personal competition is when two candidates face off in a race for office. Competitors in this competition are acquainted.
(2) Impersonal Competition: This type of competition occurs when competitors are unaware of one another's identities, as in university or civil service examinations.
It serves a variety of beneficial roles in society. Several of the primary duties include:
(1) It serves the purpose of distributing limited rewards among the rivals.
(2) It also serves the additional purpose of stimulating both individual and collective action to raise the competitors' overall production. It provides inspiration to perform well, win respect, or receive compensation.
(3) It gives each person a position in the social hierarchy. It establishes who will carry out each task.
(4) It tends to feed one's ego and serves to bolster it.
(5) It promotes societal advancement and welfare. It motivates people and organisations to work hard to achieve their objectives.
(6) It boosts the effectiveness.
Competition also serves harmful purposes. For instance:
(1) It influences competitors' attitudes. When individuals or groups compete, they typically adopt hostile and unfavourable views against one another.
(2) If it is too intense and sharp, it could result in confrontation (cut-throat competition). The most destructive impacts of unfair competition affect both the person and society.
(3) It might cause emotional turbulence. H.T. Mazumdar (1966) claimed that it might cause neurosis as a result of dissatisfaction.
(4) Monopoly might result from unrestricted competition. Through their affiliations, people attempt to defend themselves.
Competition Definition, meaning and types
