The Matthew Effect, as it is commonly known, is a phenomenon that states that those who have will be given more. This effect is often seen in areas such as economics and education, where people who have more opportunities, resources, or advantages are the ones who end up with the most success. When it comes to literacy, this effect can have particularly significant consequences.
The concept of the Matthew Effect was first proposed in 1968 by psychologist and educational researcher Robert Merton. Merton argued that those with superior resources and advantages tend to experience greater success than those with fewer resources and advantages. This phenomenon is particularly evident in reading acquisition, where students who have access to more literacy resources, including educational materials and teachers, tend to be the ones who experience the greatest success.
These advantages can be seen in a number of ways. For example, students with access to well-stocked libraries are more likely to be successful readers than those with limited access to books. Similarly, students who have access to skilled teachers who can help them understand difficult concepts are more likely to experience success in their reading efforts.
While the Matthew Effect has many benefits, it does also have some potential consequences. One of the most significant is that it can lead to a widening of the achievement gap between students of different backgrounds. This is because students from more privileged backgrounds are more likely to have access to the resources and advantages that lead to greater success. In contrast, those from disadvantaged backgrounds may lack the resources to achieve the same level of reading proficiency.
This can lead to a situation where those with the most resources have the greatest success and those with the least resources have the least success. This can be a major barrier to educational equality and can lead to a situation where the less privileged students are left behind.
The Matthew Effect can also contribute to the development of a cycle of failure. Those who are not successful in reading can become increasingly discouraged and less likely to put in the effort necessary to improve. This can lead to a cycle of failure, where those students become increasingly disinterested and less likely to experience success.
Finally, the Matthew Effect can lead to an unequal distribution of resources. As those with the most resources have the greatest success, they are likely to be the ones who have access to the most resources, while those with the least resources will have the least access. This can lead to a situation where those with the most resources are the ones who end up with the greatest success.
The Matthew Effect has a number of consequences, some of which can be positive and others that can be negative. It is important to be aware of these effects so that efforts can be taken to ensure that all students have equal access to the resources and advantages needed for success in reading.
