The Matthew Effect is a concept that describes how "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer" — meaning people who already have advantages (like wealth, knowledge, fame, or resources) tend to gain even more over time, while those with fewer advantages tend to fall further behind.

📖 Origin

The term comes from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew 25:29:

“For to everyone who has, more will be given... but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

The term was popularized in modern times by sociologist Robert K. Merton to explain how scientists who are already well-known tend to receive more credit and recognition than lesser-known researchers — even if their work is similar.

📚 Examples

1. In Education:
   • A child who reads well early on will get better over time because they read more and build vocabulary.
   • A child who struggles early may fall further behind due to lack of confidence or support.
2. In Wealth:
   • People with money can invest and grow it.
   • Those without money may fall into debt and have fewer opportunities.
3. In Social Media:
   • Popular creators get more visibility and followers, making it easier to grow.
   • New users struggle to be seen, even if their content is good.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_effect