Matthew effect is widely used in social psychology, education, finance, science and other fields. Matthew effect, a term commonly used by sociologists and economists, reflects a polarized social phenomenon, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.

A fable from the Bible "Matthew in the New Testament": "Whatever you have, double it and call it redundancy; No, even what he has will be taken away. " On the surface, Matthew effect is contrary to the way of balance, similar to the "28 rule", but in fact it is only one pole of the way of balance.

Extended data

The name Matthew Effect comes from a fable in the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament: Once upon a time, there was a king who wanted to go out on a long journey. Before leaving, he gave each of the three servants a piece of silver and said, "Do business and come to me when I come back." When the king came back, the first servant said, "Master, I have earned the 10 silver you gave me." So the king gave him 10 city. The second servant reported, "Master, I earned the five dollars you gave me." So the king rewarded him with five cities. The third servant reported, "Master, the 1 silver you gave me was always wrapped in a handkerchief, and I never took it out for fear of losing it. ? "

So the king ordered the third servant's 65,438+0 yuan to be given to the first servant, saying, "If it is less, even what he has will be taken away. If you have more, give it to him and tell him that the more the better. " This is the "Matthew effect", which reflects a common phenomenon in today's society, that is, the winner takes all.