Matthew effect

The Matthew Effect

The Matthew Effect takes its name from a passage in the Bible (Matthew 25:29), in which Jesus tells a parable about a master who rewards the laborers according to their abilities. “For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” The concept can be applied to any field of work - those who already have wealth, fame, power, or expertise will experience success moreso than those who have less.

The Matthew Effect can be seen as a form of social stratification, where society sets up rules and structures to keep certain people privileged and others disadvantaged. The idea goes beyond just the distinction between “the haves” and “the have-nots” — what matters is the amount an individual has relative to their peers.

One of the most widely studied examples of the Matthew Effect comes from the field of education. Wealthy students often have access to greater resources, such as private tutoring, extra-curricular activities, specialized courses, and higher quality schools. This creates an uneven playing field in which those who have the financial means to get ahead are more likely to be successful than those who don’t.

The same concept applies to other areas of life, such as business, politics, and the media. Those with money and resources have access to better opportunities and greater visibility, and have a better chance of success than those without.

Some argue that the Matthew Effect can actually be beneficial in some cases. For example, it can incentivize hard work and ambition by providing those who do well with additional resources and privileges. It can also encourage competition, as those who are behind try to catch up with those who are ahead.

The Matthew Effect is a powerful force, and it serves to illustrate the idea that success breeds success. Those who already have the tools to succeed tend to get even more opportunities to do so, while those without those resources are left behind. In order to create a more equitable society, it is important to recognize and address the imbalance of power and privilege that exists. This can be done through policies and initiatives that provide equal access to resources and opportunities for all members of society.