The Psychology of Competition, Negotiations and Growth Mindset

Professor Stephen Garcia: "Competition is often just a matter of perception."

In this podcast, Professor Stephen Garcia breaks down the psychology of competition—how perception, fear, group size, and even rankings shape our motivation, performance and mindset.

Jason Bartus MBA 26

I chose UC Davis because it offers a top-20–ranked Part-Time MBA program with STEM-focused courses, and the price tag was much more affordable than that of some other universities local to the Bay Area. I also had friends who graduated from the program, and they all had positive experiences.

Anirudh Arora MBA 25

When I was exploring MBA programs, I wanted more than rankings—I wanted a place to grow, and UC Davis delivered. The Part-Time MBA let me pursue rigorous academics while working full-time, but it was the collaborative, purpose-driven culture that truly stood out.