Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026

A New Approach that Eliminates Handling for Studying Aggression and the "Loser" Effect in Drosophila melanogaster
Published on: December 30, 2015
Not winning is good for you
1University College London, London, UK.
Abstract:
While we will all have personal experience of losing, the increasing use of awards has raised concerns that the beneficial effects both of winning and of losing may be diluted. I will explore background concepts of both winning and losing, considering the potential advantages of awards when delivered via a competitive and just structure. Great advantages can come from losing, which are often more significant than those obtained merely through winning. I illustrate this point with my own background and that of the distance learning clinical neurology course that I help run at Queen Square. Finally, I use the example of our course as a way that some challenges currently facing medicine in the matter of neurology numbers can be tackled.
Related Concept Videos
Benefits of Self-Esteem
Regression Toward the Mean
Stereotype Threat and Self-fulfilling Prophecies
Competition
Ending Relationships
Hindsight Biases

