The Winner Effect: The Neuroscience Of Success ... Site

The book highlights several real-world examples of this effect:

In the waters of Lake Tanganyika, a subordinate male cichlid is typically pale, timid, and spends its time hiding to avoid conflict. However, if the dominant male in its territory disappears, this timid fish swims forward and wins a brief fight for dominance. The Winner Effect: The Neuroscience of Success ...

Robertson argues that humans experience a similar "success flywheel". Whether it is a small victory at work or a major career achievement, winning triggers a surge of dopamine that reinforces confidence and risk-taking. The book highlights several real-world examples of this

: Its brain physically changes, boosting testosterone and dopamine levels, which sharpens focus and increases the likelihood of winning the next fight. Parallel in Humans Whether it is a small victory at work

: Even artificial victories—like male mice winning fights against smaller, sedated opponents—make them significantly more likely to defeat stronger rivals later due to the neurochemical changes from their initial "wins".