Discontinuity Effect

The discontinuity effect is the markedly greater competitiveness displayed between different, interacting groups compared with the competitiveness displayed when individuals interact with other individuals. Because competition between groups over scarce resources is thought to lead to group-level conflict, researchers argue that the link between competition and conflict is considerably stronger between groups than between individuals, since people who would prefer to cooperate as individuals tend to have that orientation overshadowed by the group's competitive stance once they join together as a collective unit. The effect has been consistently replicated in laboratory settings but is not confined to them, also emerging during sports activities, class sessions and when groups merge to plan or form strategy.