What role does luck play in success? Initially, luck appears as a subtle factor, but according to the Matthew Effect, it grows rapidly and can account for up to 55% of a person's success.
This is the conclusion of Professor Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, a psychology professor at the University of London and creative director of the human resources company ManpowerGroup.
In his book Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? Tomas suggests that people's common understanding of luck often overlooks many factors, such as where you were born and who your parents are.
Research by scientists at the Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Cornell University (New York, USA) published in Science magazine in January 2025, shows that luck in the early months and years of life can play a crucial role in shaping long-term success.
Experts explain that early life experiences combined with a competitive environment can put individuals on significantly different paths, causing some people to thrive while others struggle to get by. The way these early advantages or disadvantages affect people can create lasting impacts on their future opportunities and achievements.
The research delves into the biological roots of what scientists call the Matthew Effect, which describes how "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." This effect suggests that individuals or groups with initial advantages tend to gain more benefits over time, while those who start with disadvantages fall further behind.
The Matthew Effect is evident in nature, including among humans. For example, studies of mice, known for their fierce competition over territory and resources, show that males who gain early advantages are more likely to secure better resources, improve their physical condition, and increase their chances of winning future battles.
This success cycle creates a "snowball effect," where initial advantages continuously build up and lead to ongoing dominance. Meanwhile, male mice without early advantages rarely achieve dominance later in life.
Researchers note that as competition increases, initial luck becomes more important in determining outcomes. In highly competitive environments, small early advantages - whether from luck or circumstances - can make a big difference.
This research helps explain why some people become very successful while others struggle, even when they have similar talents. Just like in the mouse experiments, early advantages in human society - such as being born into a wealthy family or having access to good education - can create lasting benefits that grow stronger over time.
The findings suggest that success isn't just about hard work or talent. Instead, it's often influenced by early advantages that create positive feedback loops, making it easier for those who start ahead to stay ahead.
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Source: vnexpress.net / 9th Jan 2025 / May mắn có vai trò thế nào trong thành công?
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