Competition or Cooperation

I do not think it is a basic instinct for people to interact and work as a group. For example, how many two year-olds are happy about sharing toys with someone else. As a baby, we are only concerned about getting what we want when we want it. This is an example of Freud’s id, which is the part of our personality that wants whatever feels good at the time, with no consideration for others or reality (Heffner Media Group, Inc, 2003). People, who develop a competitive drive to be number one do not think about others or how to behave socially. They have let their id personality rule their life. It is okay to have the desire to perform well, but it should not be at the cost of hurting others physically or emotionally. According to Buffington, “competition brings out the beast in us, while cooperation brings out the best in us”(CharlesWarner.us).
Therefore, I believe that being competitive or cooperative is a learned skill, not an instinct. Unfortunately, we live in a society where people have rewarded competitiveness instead of cooperation. How many parents have encouraged their children to win a ball game even if they have to hurt someone? We have created more hate, and jealousy toward each other by teaching our children that winning is everything. Therefore, we must teach students how to use their skills and talents to be cooperative, collaborative, and compromising. According to Buffington, working together has produced better grades, higher salaries, positive self-esteem, and a sense of pride in helping others (CharlesWarner.us). When people see that cooperation and collaboration can provide better results than competition, they will be eager to participate in a new way of behaving. The interactions and technological aspects of our world are changing; we must learn that using collective action and working with a group is the best way to create a better society (Rheingold, 2005). Nevertheless, it will take time to change the mind frame of people, who believe that being number one is the only way to survive. To improve cooperation, Howard Rheingold recommends capitalizing on the luxuries of technology because they are easy to use, enable distant connections, use open-source software, promote group forming, provide self-instructions, and offer positive self-interest (2005).

I believe we develop instincts based on what helps us to survive. In the future, which characteristic will thrive: being a ruthless, barbaric competitor or a creative, compromising debater, who analyzes both perspectives and helps others accomplish great things? In my opinion, if we continue to focus on competition, we will destroy ourselves; we must find a balance between competition and cooperation. Therefore, I believe we will see our world transform, as more and more people participate in reading and creating information on the Internet. People will appreciate the discussion of multiple viewpoints and be excited about interacting with a group instead of fighting wars.

Buffington, P. (Unknown). Competition vs. Cooperation CharlesWarner.us Retrieved from http://www.charleswarner.us/articles/competit.htm
Heffner Media Group, Inc. (1999-2003). Id, Ego, and Superego. All Psych Online: The Virtual Psychology Classroom. Retrieved from http://allpsych.com/psychology101/ego.html

Rheingold, H. (2005). Way-New Collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Amy