3 research outputs found
Older, but wiser? āThe Matthew Effectā at 50: introduction to the Dialog
Mertonās famous essay on recognition and rewards in scientific careers, āThe Matthew Effect in Scienceā, has reached middle age. This Dialog reflects on established research that separates the origins and the consequences of status, and recent contributions regarding the constraints of status advantages. In doing so, this collection responds to a growing scholarly debate about the returns to high status. The authors engage with Mertonās cumulative status advantage, and go further to identify downsides of increased recognition both for individuals and for the status system itself. The six articles in this Dialog evaluate the progress made towards Mertonās proposed research agenda and highlight opportunities for its extension
Near-winners in status competitions: neglected sources of dynamism in the Matthew effect
Current research on status hierarchy dynamics focuses on the potential for, and constraints to, individual mobility. In this essay, I argue that Mertonās Matthew Effect incorrectly categorizes activity below a status threshold as linear. This misspecification calls into question existing models of competitions for social status. I argue for an improved theory of status tournaments as asymmetric, non-binary, and agentic. Through that new perspective, I raise questions for the legitimacy and power of stratifying institutions