For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.— Matthew 25:29, RSV
What is the Matthew Effect?
The Matthew Effect refers to a phenomenon observed in various domains such as society, economics, and science, where individuals or entities that already possess certain advantages tend to acquire more resources or opportunities, further amplifying the disparity. This effect is named after the Parable of the Talents in the Gospel of Matthew, which states, “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
This concept was first introduced by sociologists Robert K. Merton and Harriet Zuckerman in 1968 to describe how, in the scientific community, the unequal distribution of reputation and resources results in certain scholars receiving more recognition and support.
The Matthew Effect suggests that resources or recognition are distributed based on an individual’s initial standing. As a result, individuals who are already resource-rich are more likely to accumulate further resources, while those at a disadvantage struggle to improve their situation.
Merton and Zuckerman further emphasized that the Matthew Effect not only affects reputation but also influences fields such as information dissemination, resource allocation, and social selection, thereby exacerbating the concentration of resources and talent. For example, scholars with established reputations are often afforded more attention, whereas equally competent but less well-known individuals or works are more likely to be overlooked or forgotten.
Theoretical Origins and Development
Norman W. Storer of Columbia University proposed that the phenomenon of inequality in the social sciences is not limited to academia, but is also widespread in other fields such as society, economics, and education. Particularly in network science, we observe that content that is initially popular continues to attract new traffic, resulting in the “rich get richer” phenomenon within networks. This mechanism helps us understand how resources in both network and social systems flow toward the “leaders.”
For example, a study on scientific funding in the Netherlands found that those who barely surpassed the funding threshold tended to receive more resources over the following eight years compared to non-recipients with similar qualifications. Additionally, experimental research has revealed the presence of the Matthew Effect in consumer behavior. For instance, when manipulating book bestseller lists or music download data, consumers tend to choose products that appear popular, further widening the gap between popular products and those that receive less attention.
A Foregone Conclusion?
Success is not merely a reflection of individual ability; it is often influenced by social environments, historical opportunities, and the accumulation of resources. Particularly in areas such as education, economics, and opportunities, this effect can lead to a vicious cycle for individuals who are already at a disadvantage, making it difficult to break through.
Understanding the Matthew Effect can help us better reflect on our social behaviors, avoid being overly critical of ourselves when facing disadvantages, and actively develop personal growth strategies to overcome these challenges.
By early accumulation — such as improving educational background or expanding professional skills — we can enhance our competitiveness and seize more opportunities. Additionally, society can reduce the inequities in resource allocation through policy interventions, such as promoting educational equality and resource sharing, which can help break the barriers of wealth disparity and unequal opportunities.
However, scholars such as Michael Strevens offer a different perspective, arguing that the Matthew Effect can be beneficial for both society and scientific development. He believes that rewards should be proportional to social contributions, so that society’s contributions can be maximized.
For instance, in the medical field, when a new treatment is proven effective, the researchers involved should receive more resources and rewards because their work directly benefits society.
According to this logic, in certain circumstances, the Matthew Effect may not contradict the principle of fairness in science but rather help maximize the contribution of science to society.
What do you think?
Do you believe the Matthew Effect has had an impact on you?
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Bibliography
Merton, Robert K. (1968). “The Matthew Effect in Science”
Merton, Robert K (1988). “The Matthew Effect in Science, II: Cumulative advantage and the symbolism of intellectual property”.
Perc, Matjaž (2014). “The Matthew Effect in empirical data”.
Bol, T.; de Vaan, M.; van de Rijt, A. (2018). “The Matthew Effect in Science Funding” .
Petersen, Alexander M.; Jung, Woo-Sung; Yang, Jae-Suk; Stanley, H. Eugene (2011). “Quantitative and Empirical demonstration of the Matthew Effect in a study of Career Longevity”.
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