Strives to study minds (8)
I believe the answer is:
contends
'strives' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'study minds' is the wordplay.
'study' becomes 'con' (con can mean to study).
'minds' becomes 'tends' (tending is a kind of minding).
'con'+'tends'='CONTENDS'
'to' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for contends that I've seen before include "Maintains or asserts" , "Strives; maintains" , "Fights or argues" , "Strives against another" , "Vies" .)