Assignment task: Read The Matthew Effect (see the pdf located under the rubric) by Malcolm Gladwell from his book Outliers. This chapter represents an excellent example of the use of the sociological imagination to explain what appear to be individual phenomenon (in this case--success). After reading the article, respond to the following prompts. What is the Matthew Effect? Explain how Gladwell uses the Matthew Effect to explain athletic success sociologically rather than individually? You may want to think about the concept of accumulative advantage when responding to this question.
Can you apply the Matthew Effect to an analysis of your own life experience? Share an example of what you thought was an individual experience, behavior, achievement, or belief, and explain how you might now understand it as socially constructed rather than individually chosen or achieved.