411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Matthew effect
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
English
Etymology
en sociologist Robert K. Merton 1968, in reference to Matthew 25:29.Matthew 25 29 For unto every one 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.
Proper noun
1
en sociology The phenomenon by which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, either in terms of literal wealth or in terms of fame, status, etc.
en Matthew principle
en w:Astra Taylor 4 The People's Platform: Taking Back Power and Culture in the Digital Age 2014 Henry Holt and Company 978-0-8050-9545-6 When we click on the top search results or watch the FrontPage videos on YouTube or read established blogs, we are jumping on invisible bandwagons, causing the Matthew effect to kick in.
See also
en Matilda effect
en preferential attachment
en those that have, get
References
Further reading
en eponyms