Final answer:
The term for the tendency to be more competitive in groups is called the discontinuity effect, which is linked to reduced feelings of personal accountability and the desire for in-group cohesion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tendency for people to be more competitive when in groups than as individuals is known as the discontinuity effect. This phenomenon suggests that groups often behave more competitively or aggressively than individuals would on their own. It contrasts with situations where individual behavior is reserved, due to heightened awareness of personal accountability. In a group setting, individuals may feel less personally responsible, and thus more inclined to take risks or engage in competitive behavior.
The discontinuity effect can be attributed to several psychological processes, including deindividuation, which is where individuals within a group can lose their sense of individual identity and consequently feel less concerned with personal accountability. Additionally, the desire to maintain a cohesive in-group identity may intensify group members’ competitive behavior towards the out-group.