Competitive spirit as a form of behavioral addiction: the case study of Michael Jordan

Abstract

When studying biographical narratives constituting “The Michael Jordan Myth,” certain patterns emerge. For example, it is possible to identify mythemes corresponding with Campbell’s concept of the hero’s journey monomyth. This study focuses on a particular pattern, which is a progression of addiction with its phases, axial points, and list of symptoms. One of the most frequently used epithets in regard to the hero of this particular myth is “competitive.” While this is a quality of numerous outstanding athletes, in Jordan’s case competitiveness appears as a dominant quality and a driving force throughout his entire career.

Keywords

• behavioral addiction
• competition
• biography
• michael jordan
• jellinek