Merlin Case

Outliers

Summary Part One

"Matthew Effect"

Majid, Ting, Victoria

In this chapter, Gladwell tries to change the old perception of success which has been passed to us from past generations. Gladwell hypothesizes that birth date is a determining factor in success. To support his hypothesis, he focuses on Canadian Hockey League, European Soccer Leagues, and the educational system (TIMMS).

Gladwell refers to a study done by Canadian psychologist Roger Barnsley who found that most successful players had been born in January and the secret of their success lay in their birthdates since hockey leagues decide about eligibility by calendar year which is January 1. Therefore, the children born on January 1 have a greater age and physical advantage to those born in December. Such a small difference in birth date eventually decides who is going to receive more training, attention and playing hours. With such an example, Gladwell points out to the fact that success is the result of "accumulative advantage" which is called "the Matthew Effect". It is a phenomenon called by the sociologist Robert K. Merton, named after a biblical verse in the Gospel of Matthew: "For unto everyone 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."

This trend is also widely seen in European soccer teams which choose their future stars according to birth date and not exceptional ability. To convince readers, Gladwell points out to school achievement in Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) that older students got higher grades than younger ones.

Gladwell concludes by repeating the fact that external factors like timing play a key role in success.