Skip to main content

Competitive Drive

Meaning

Competitive drive is the inherent physiological and psychological impulse to strive for success, dominance, or resource acquisition, often measured by goal-directed behavior and persistence. This complex behavioral trait is significantly modulated by the circulating levels of specific steroid hormones, particularly testosterone and, to a lesser extent, cortisol. A balanced hormonal milieu supports healthy ambition and performance, while dysregulation can manifest as excessive aggression or debilitating apathy. The clinical lens views this drive as an integral component of psychological and endocrine vitality.