FINAL EXAM STUDY SHEET PART ONE
ALFIE KOHN’S “CASE AGAINST COMPETITION”
1. In what ways does competition hurt children according to Alfie Kohn?
• Kohn argues that competition creates a win/lose mentality that undermines
children’s self-esteem, fosters anxiety, and damages relationships. It teaches children to value
outperforming others over collaboration and mutual support.
2. What specific solutions does Kohn offer to avoid the harmful effects of competitiveness?
• Kohn suggests fostering cooperative environments where collaboration is
encouraged over competition. He advocates for non-comparative evaluations and group-based
projects to reduce competitive pressures.
JOSH NEUBERT’S “HOW COMPETITION IMPROVES LEARNING”
1. In what ways does Neubert say competition helps children learn?
• Neubert highlights that competition, when structured properly, can motivate
children to work harder, think critically, and engage deeply with material. It can also encourage
teamwork and prepare children for real-world challenges.
2. What specific solutions does Neubert offer to make sure the harmful effects of
competitiveness do not happen in educational competitions?
• Neubert suggests designing competitions that focus on personal growth and
collaboration. He emphasizes “challenge-based learning,” where students work together to
solve problems rather than simply competing to win.
TOP DOG REVIEW QUESTIONS - CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
3. What did the researchers’ comparison between skydiving and ballroom dancing say about
competition?
• The comparison suggests that competition can either enhance or diminish
performance depending on the individual’s response to stress and adrenaline. Skydiving
involves individual risk-taking, while ballroom dancing involves coordination and teamwork
under competitive pressure.
4. What are the differences between adaptive competitiveness and maladaptive
competitiveness?
• Adaptive competitiveness is a healthy drive to improve oneself and perform well,
focusing on self-growth and collaboration. Maladaptive competitiveness is an unhealthy fixation
on outperforming others, often at the cost of relationships or ethical standards.
5. What is aretas and how does it help explain to the Top Dog authors’ view of competition?
● Aretas is a Greek term that encompasses the idea of achieving excellence
through competition.The authors of Top Dog stated that competition, inspired by
the Ancient Greek concept of aretas (excellence), can drive personal growth and
societal progress. They emphasize that healthy competition encourages virtues
like courage and fairness, motivates individuals to improve, and fosters
cooperation. By distinguishing between positive and negative forms of
competitiveness, they show that when approached ethically, competition can
unlock potential and drive progress.
6. What were the competitive factors that contributed to swimmer Jason Lezak’s performance in
the last leg of the 4x100 relay in the 2008 Olympics?
• Lezak’s performance was driven by intense motivation, resilience under
pressure, and his ability to channel the competitive atmosphere of the event to push himself
beyond perceived limits.
CHAPTER 2
7. What did Triplett conclude about the pattern that emerged after the children completed their
time trials with the Competition Machine?
• Triplett found that children performed better in the presence of others, attributing
this to the “social facilitation” effect, where competition and observation by peers enhance
individual performance.
8. Based on Triplett’s observations on how the children handled the Competition Machine, what
were the categories that Triplett divided the children into, and what were the percentages in
each category?
• Triplett categorized children into three groups: those who thrived in competition,
those unaffected by competition, and those hindered by it. While the exact percentages are
context-dependent, roughly one-third of children typically fall into each group.
9. What is the real benefit of competition and what is the tradeoff?
• The benefit of competition is that it can drive individuals to achieve their best and
foster innovation. The tradeoff is that it can also create stress, strain relationships, and promote
unethical behaviors if poorly managed.
10. What do the results of Carrell’s study at the Air Force Academy help you understand about
how having a “fighting chance” affects people’s competitive fire?
• Carrell’s study showed that individuals perform better when they believe they
have a chance to win, emphasizing the importance of perceived fairness and attainable goals in
maintaining motivation.
11. How is the will to compete affected by structural factors such as the number and strength of
competitors?
• The will to compete can be diminished when the competition feels overwhelming
(e.g., too many strong competitors) or unfair. Conversely, it can be enhanced when individuals
perceive the competition as balanced and achievable.
CHAPTER 3
12. Besides structural factors explained in Chapter 2, what are the other factors that affect
competitive fire?
• Factors such as intrinsic motivation, past successes or failures, personality traits,
and the presence of supportive mentors or peers can affect competitive fire. Additionally, cultural
attitudes toward competition play a role.
13. How does each of these factors affect competitive fire?
• Intrinsic motivation sustains effort even without external rewards. Past successes
build confidence, while failures can motivate or discourage depending on the individual.
Supportive environments foster healthy competitiveness, whereas overly critical ones may stifle
it.
CHAPTER 4
14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a Warrior?
• Advantages: Warriors thrive under pressure, show resilience, and perform well in
high-stakes environments. They are highly motivated by competition and challenges.
• Disadvantages: The warrior mindset can lead to burnout, stress, and a tendency
to ignore collaboration. It may also promote a win-at-all-costs mentality.
15. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a Worrier?
• Advantages: Worriers are often highly analytical and cautious, which can help
them identify risks and plan effectively.
• Disadvantages: Excessive worry can lead to anxiety, procrastination, and lower
performance due to overthinking.
16. What did Lighthall and Mather conclude about the effect of stress after their studies of men
and women’s brains and how does research apply to Coach Dorrance’s experience with his
soccer players?
• Lighthall and Mather found that men and women respond differently to stress.
Men tend to experience heightened competitive drive, while women are more likely to focus on
relationships and collaboration.
• Coach Dorrance likely observed that under stress, his female players excelled in
teamwork and collective effort, aligning with these findings.
CHAPTER 5
17. What did Professor Sarah Fulton’s research findings say about how men and women
compete for Congress?
• Fulton’s research indicated that men are more likely to pursue political office
aggressively, while women tend to be more cautious and may doubt their qualifications, even
when equally competent.
18. What did Niederle’s research say about how women compete?
• Niederle found that women are less likely to enter competitive environments
compared to men, even when they are equally capable. This difference may be due to
socialization, risk aversion, or preference for cooperative settings.
19. How does C. Kirabo Jackson’s research on two major factors on performance explain the
differences between how girls and boys compete in academic settings?
• Jackson’s research suggests that girls tend to excel in structured and
collaborative academic settings, while boys often thrive in more competitive and less structured
environments.
20. What is the difference between finite games and infinite games? And why is one gender
better at one and not the other?
• Finite games: Have clear rules, boundaries, and objectives (e.g., sports
competitions).
• Infinite games: Focus on ongoing improvement, adaptability, and long-term
strategies (e.g., life or business).
• Men may excel in finite games due to their focus on direct competition, while
women may thrive in infinite games due to their emphasis on relationships and long-term
planning.
CHAPTER 6
21. What was learned about collaboration and competition from the experiment at Robbers
Cave State Park?
• The experiment showed that competition fosters division and conflict, while
collaboration toward shared goals reduces hostility and promotes unity among groups.
22. How does females’ tendency to form dyads affect their competitiveness?
• Women’s preference for forming close one-on-one relationships (dyads) can
enhance cooperation but may limit their willingness to engage in broader competitive settings.
23. How does males’ tendency to form groups affect their competitiveness?
• Men’s inclination to form larger groups fosters a sense of collective identity and
rivalry, enhancing their competitiveness in team-based contexts.
24. How does having siblings affect one’s competitiveness?
• Having siblings often encourages competitiveness due to rivalry for attention and
resources. It can also teach valuable lessons about negotiation and collaboration.
25. What was learned about location and competitiveness?
• Competitiveness can be influenced by geographic and cultural factors. For
example, urban environments with higher population densities may encourage more intense
competition than rural areas.
CHAPTER 7
26. What are the differences between playing to win and playing not to lose and what kind of
consequences do they have during competition?
• Playing to win: Involves taking risks and being aggressive, often leading to higher
rewards but also greater potential losses.
• Playing not to lose: Focuses on caution and risk-avoidance, which can lead to
consistency but may limit opportunities for major successes.
27. What are the psychological and physiological differences between a threat situation and a
challenge situation?
• In a threat situation, individuals experience fear and anxiety, leading to higher
cortisol levels and decreased performance.
• In a challenge situation, individuals feel motivated and confident, resulting in
adrenaline boosts and improved focus and performance.
28. When is calling out someone’s mistakes in a competition a good thing? When is it a bad
thing?
• Good thing: When done constructively, it can help improve performance and
foster learning.
• Bad thing: When done harshly or publicly, it can damage morale and
relationships.
29. In what kind of situations is playing not to lose the optimal strategy?
• Playing not to lose is optimal in high-stakes situations where risks outweigh
potential rewards, such as maintaining a lead in a close game.
30. When one needs to compete harder, which orientation is better, gain or prevention?
• Gain orientation (focused on achieving success) is better for motivation and
risk-taking.
• Prevention orientation (focused on avoiding failure) is better for consistency and
error reduction.
FINAL EXAM STUDY SHEET PART TWO
CHAPTER 8
1. What is near-miss bias and why does it eventually become a problem?
Near-miss bias is when someone narrowly misses achieving a goal and becomes overly
focused on what could have been done differently, potentially leading to frustration or a
diminished ability to move forward productively.
2. According to the research, positive thinking is less effective in helping a person
perform better. What alternative way of thinking has been shown to be more effective?
Research suggests that practical optimism or realistic thinking, which involves acknowledging
challenges and preparing for them proactively, is more effective than mere positive thinking.
3. Besides watching videos of their mistakes, what have researchers found that
works for athletes to perform their best and within their Individual Zone of Optimal Functioning?
Visualization techniques, where athletes mentally rehearse successful performances, are
effective in enhancing performance within their optimal zone.
4. How could being angry improve a person’s performance during competition?
Anger can increase focus and energy, helping individuals channel their emotions into
heightened performance, as long as it remains controlled.
CHAPTER 9
5. How does testosterone help competitors?
Testosterone boosts confidence and aggression, which can enhance competitive performance.
6. How does testosterone work in women competitors?
In women, testosterone helps by improving confidence and assertiveness, though its effects are
subtler compared to men.
7. How does cortisol and oxytocin help competitors?
• Cortisol prepares the body for stress and sharpens focus.
• Oxytocin fosters bonding and trust, which can improve team dynamics.
CHAPTER 10
8. Jason Lezak’s Olympic experience is an example of several factors at play that
helped the American team win the gold medal in the 4X100 relay. What are they?
Key factors include teamwork, trust, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure.
9. Explain why teams are not automatically better than the sum of their parts.
Teams can underperform due to poor communication, lack of trust, or conflicts among members.
10. Why are smaller teams more successful than larger teams?
Smaller teams are more agile, communicate more effectively, and have stronger cohesion.
CHAPTER 11
11. According to the research, introverts do better when working ___, extroverts do
better when they are ___.
• Introverts do better when working alone.
• Extroverts do better when they are collaborating or in group settings.
12. Introverts’ performance is hurt/helped when they are forced to work on a team.
Hurt, because they may feel overwhelmed or unable to contribute fully in a group setting.
13. Extroverts perform better/worse when they are in a competitive setting.
Better, as competition energizes them.
14. The example of open source software development with Linux showed that:
Collaboration and shared goals among individuals from diverse backgrounds can produce
superior results.
15. The Top Dog authors agree/disagree with MIT’s director of admissions’
commitment to evangelize collaboration at their university because ___
They agree, emphasizing that collaboration fosters innovation and problem-solving.
CHAPTER 12
20. What is the theory that sociologist Robert Washington posits about organized
sports and corruption?
Washington suggests that organized sports can foster corruption by prioritizing winning over
ethics.
21. What is the connection of two events in American history that the Top Dog
authors use to prove that this theory is true?
This refers to historical instances like the Black Sox Scandal and doping controversies,
demonstrating how competitive pressures can lead to unethical behavior.
22. According to research done by Marta Fulop, what is the most significant
determinant of how we respond to competition?
Cultural norms and upbringing play a significant role in shaping our response to competition.
23. How does a maladaptive competitor handle wins and losses? How does an
adaptive competitor handle wins and losses?
• Maladaptive competitors: Gloat over wins or dwell on losses negatively.
• Adaptive competitors: Learn from losses and remain humble in victories.
24. What do the Top Dog authors recommend doing when competition is wearing you
down?
Take a break, focus on intrinsic motivation, and reset your mindset to avoid burnout.
25. According to the Top Dog authors, what do people learn about winning and losing
through their experiences with competition?
They learn resilience, humility, and the importance of continuous improvement.
26. According to psychologist Paul Rozin, what is our preferred state?
A state of moderate challenge where we feel engaged but not overwhelmed.
ESSAY WRITING
27. What are the three stages of the PRO Process?
• Prepare: Gather and organize your ideas.
• Revise: Edit and refine your writing.
• Organize: Ensure ideas flow logically.
28. What are the three main parts of an essay?
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion
29. What information is usually included in an introduction?
A hook, background information, and a thesis statement.
30. What is the thesis and where is it usually located?
The thesis is the central argument or claim of the essay, usually located at the end of the
introduction.
31. What is the purpose of a conclusion and what information could be used in a
conclusion?
The conclusion summarizes the main points, restates the thesis, and leaves a lasting
impression.
32. What do each of the three letters mean in the PIES Paragraph acronym?
• Point: The main idea.
• Illustration: Examples or evidence.
• Explanation: Clarification or analysis.
33. What does each of the letters mean in FANBOYS?
• F: For
• A: And
• N: Nor
• B: But
• O: Or
• Y: Yet
• S: So
34. Which of the FANBOYS can be used to join sentences to show a contrast
between ideas?
• But and Yet.
