It is those who are successful, in other words, who are most likely to be given the kinds of special opportunities that lead to further success. It's the rich who get the biggest tax breaks. It's the best students who get the best teaching and most attention. And it's the biggest nine-and ten-year-olds who get the most coaching and practice. Success is the result of what sociologists like to call accumulative advantage.
In "Outliers: The Story of Success," Malcolm Gladwell discusses the concept of accumulative advantage, suggesting that those who achieve initial success are often provided with more opportunities that facilitate further achievements. This creates a cycle where the already successful receive more support and resources, perpetuating their success while others may struggle to reach similar heights.
Gladwell illustrates this point by showing how wealth can lead to financial benefits like tax breaks, how exemplary students receive superior educational opportunities, and how physically larger children gain more attention in sports. This reinforces the notion that success breeds more opportunities, creating a gap between the successful and the less fortunate.
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