Competitiveness and Stress
40 Pages Posted: 18 Jan 2016
Date Written: January 18, 2016
Abstract
This study explores the relationship between competitiveness and stress. In Experiment 1, we examine the response of cortisol, the primary stress hormone, during both piece-rate and tournament tasks. We find that the more competitive tournament task induces a higher cortisol response than the less competitive piece-rate task. Moreover, more competitively inclined subjects exhibit higher stress responses induced by the tasks. In Experiment 2, we manipulate stress using the Trier Social Stress Test and find that induced stress does not significantly affect competitiveness. Taken together, our findings suggest a tendency for people who are competitively disposed to have high stress response.
Keywords: C91, D44, D83
JEL Classification: competitiveness, tournament, piece rate, stress, hormone, cortisol, experiment
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation