WHAT IS THE MATTHEW EFFECT? (A BRIEF ANALYSIS OF MATTHEW EFFECT)

I. INTRODUCTION

THE MATTHEW EFFECT REFERS TO THE PHENOMENON WHEREBY THE SUCCESSFUL TEND TO BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL WHILE THE UNSUCCESSFUL TEND TO REMAIN UNDERSERVED, OR EVEN BECOME MORE UNSUCCESSFUL.

II. EXPLANATION

1. THE NAME OF THE EFFECT WAS COINED BY SOCIOLOGIST ROBERT K. MERTON, WHO WAS INSPIRED BY A VERSE FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: “FOR UNTO EVERYONE THAT HATH SHALL BE GIVEN, AND HE SHALL HAVE ABUNDANCE. BUT FROM HIM THAT HATH NOT SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY EVEN THAT WHICH HE HATH.”

2. THE EFFECT IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS A “CUMULATIVE ADVANTAGE” BECAUSE IT RESULTS IN A BIAS TOWARD THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE. THE MORE SUCCESSFUL SOMEONE IS, THE MORE LIKELY THEY ARE TO BE OFFERED OPPORTUNITIES TO CONTINUE TO SUCCEED.

3. THE MATTHEW EFFECT CAN BE SEEN IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE, INCLUDING EDUCATION, SPORTS, AND BUSINESS. FOR EXAMPLE, STUDENTS WHO START OFF WITH HIGHER GRADES ARE GIVEN MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT, WHICH LEADS TO EVEN HIGHER GRADES AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES.

4. THE EFFECT CAN BECOME SELF-PERPETUATING AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO INEQUALITY. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED TEND TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITIES AND, THEREFORE, CONTINUE TO SUCCEED.

III. IMPLICATIONS

1. THE MATTHEW EFFECT IS OFTEN USED TO EXPLAIN DISPARITIES IN INCOME, EDUCATION, AND OPPORTUNITY. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN ADVANTAGES TEND TO GO ON TO HAVE MORE SUCCESS, WHILE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE EFFECT TEND TO HAVE LESS.

2. THE EFFECT CAN BECOME A BARRIER TO MOBILITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. WHEN SOMEONE IS DENIED OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ADVANTAGE, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BREAK OUT OF THAT CYCLE.

IV. CONCLUSION

THE MATTHEW EFFECT IS A PHENOMENON THAT HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE. IT CAN RESULT IN BIAS TOWARD THOSE WHO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE AND LEAD TO INEQUALITIES. RECOGNIZING THIS EFFECT CAN HELP US TO ADDRESS INEQUALITIES AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.