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Older people are less likely to think in zero-sum terms — Level A1 — a couple of people sitting on top of a wooden bench

Older people are less likely to think in zero-sum termsCEFR A1

30 Dec 2025

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Adapted from U. Chicago, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by mohammad majid, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
76 words
  • People often think some situations are zero-sum and fixed.
  • Zero-sum means one person wins and someone else loses.
  • Older people have fewer zero-sum beliefs than younger people.
  • Young people more often see win-lose outcomes in life.
  • This belief can change choices at work and politics.
  • Surveys and experiments show the same age pattern clearly.
  • Teaching and practice help people think about cooperation more.
  • Time and experience reduce zero-sum thinking over years.

Difficult words

  • zero-sum — a situation where one person wins, one loses
  • belief — an idea a person accepts as true
    beliefs
  • cooperation — working together with other people
  • survey — a study that asks people questions
    Surveys
  • experiment — a test to find what happens
    experiments
  • experience — knowledge from living or doing things

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Do you like to work with other people?
  • Where did you learn to cooperate?
  • Do you think people change ideas as they get older?

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