In the daily struggles of life, there are competitors — and then there are rivals. For most of us, there’s not much that distinguishes the two. But according to postdoctoral research associate David Reinhard, there is a difference. And understanding that difference could help us understand much of the conflict that we see in this world, whether it unfolds in the bleachers, on the battle front or in the well-upholstered chairs of the corporate boardroom.

“Anytime one party can only accomplish their goals at the expense of another party failing to achieve theirs, we say they’re competitors,” explained Reinhard. “But what we find with rivalry is that it's a competitive relationship where the current competition feels like it's part of this much larger competitive narrative. So, the current contest feels like it's connected to the past, and connected to the future, and is part of your legacy.”