WorldWinner Survey: Genders Equally Competitive

"Key findings include:

- Competition Style: Both Men and Women Predominantly Play to Win

When it comes to how they view competition, men were slightly more driven by the desire to win versus the thrill of the game. The majority of men (61 percent) said they "played to win," versus 50 percent of women, however this was the number one response for both sexes. Following closely behind was, "I play for the enjoyment of playing," (24 percent of men; 33 percent of women), while trailing last was, "I play to beat other players" (15 percent of men; 17 percent of women).

- Frequency of Competition: Women Seek Competition on a Daily Basis

Whether playing to win or for the enjoyment of the game, both sexes report seeking friendly competition on a regular basis. According to survey findings, men most commonly sought out competition a few times a week (45 percent) or every day (31 percent), while the women sought out competition every day (39 percent) followed by a few times a week (37 percent).

- Competition as Validation: Both Sexes Use Online Game-playing to "Prove Themselves"

Given the frequency with which men and women seek out competition, it makes sense that both genders commonly use competition as a way to demonstrate their competency to others. When asked if they view competition as a way to prove themselves, 52 percent of men and 46 percent of women either agreed or strongly agreed.

- Description of Competition: Enjoyable and Thrilling; Definitely Not Intimidating

The most common phrase both men and women used to describe competition was "enjoyable" (42 percent of men; 40 percent of women), followed closely by "thrilling" (29 percent of men; 31 percent of women). Only four percent of men and two percent of women found competition to be "intimidating."

- Personal Competition Strategy: Neither Sex Quits When Ahead

Do the sexes differ when it comes to handling winning streaks? Interestingly, men and women agree on how to best ride out a stretch of success - 75 percent of men and 73 percent of women say that when they're on a winning streak, they play to keep it alive as long as they can, as opposed to quitting while ahead.

- Which Gender is More Competitive? It's a Tie

Survey respondents largely agree that men and women are equally assertive in casual competition. Forty-nine percent of men and 53 percent of women believe both genders are equally competitive, while 45 percent of men and 35 percent of women view males as more competitive. Only six percent of men and 12 percent of women perceive females to be the more competitive gender.

- Competition with the Opposite Sex: Again, Equality Prevails

Sixty-three percent of men and 77 percent of women feel they are just as competitive when pitted against the opposite gender as when the opponent is someone of their own sex.

- Feelings about Losing: Both Sexes Take an Ego Hit

When asked how losing affects self esteem, the majority of both genders reported that losing affected their sense of worth at least a little bit (79 percent of men; 73 percent of women). Eighteen percent of men and 25 percent of women reported that losing had no effect on them, while only three percent of men and two percent of women stated that they were "extremely" affected by losing.

- The Bottom Line: For Love of the Game

When money is no object, both genders agree that they would rather play a game and lose than not play the game at all (77 percent of men; 86 percent of women)."

Sources - Marketwire, WorldWinner