The Myth of the Self-Made Person. Here’s how privilege can shape opportunity. Reviewed by Davia Sills

0
3KB

KEY POINTS-

  • Meritocracy can overstate the role of individual talent, downplaying how privilege and luck shape success.
  • Believing in meritocracy may breed arrogance in "winners" and humiliation in "losers."
  • Elite universities and jobs still tend to favor the already privileged, despite claims of meritocracy.
  • Mitigating meritocracy's flaws requires policies that create true equal opportunity.

In today’s society, we often assume that meritocracy provides a level playing field where anyone can succeed through hard work and talent. However, psychology research reveals that meritocracy has an insidious dark side.

First, believing in meritocracy makes people more likely to legitimize inequality. In a 2014 study, participants played two games: one of luck and one of skill. Afterward, they had the opportunity to subtract from the winnings of the other player. Those who had just played a game of skill were less supportive of income redistribution than those who played a game of chance. When we see success as solely stemming from merit, we overlook how arbitrary factors, like upbringing and luck, can shape outcomes.

This blind spot allows inequalities to fester. At top U.S. universities, more students come from the top 1 percent of the income scale than the entire bottom 60 percent. Competitive exam scores strongly correlate with parental income and education level. This suggests that the children of elites can consolidate their advantages more successfully.

 

But meritocracy doesn’t just fail the underprivileged. It also harms the psyche of the “winners.”

First, it breeds arrogance. Research shows that believing in meritocracy is linked to more prejudice against the less educated. When we attribute our success to our talents, it’s tempting to see others’ failures as due to their inferiority.

 

Second, meritocracy fuels self-blame. Children applying to elite colleges often feel their entire self-worth hinges on their getting accepted. Adults working at top firms burn themselves out trying to prove their merit. Winners and losers alike end up evaluated solely by narrow definitions of success.

 

This toxic brew damages social cohesion. The elite meritocrats, laser-focused on status, have little sympathy for those “left behind.” Meanwhile, those excluded from meritocracy’s rewards experience humiliation and resentment.

How can we transcend the flawed psychology of meritocracy? Some solutions include:

  1. Design affirmative action plans that level the playing field for the disadvantaged.
  2. Teach children early about how arbitrary factors shape outcomes as much as individual effort.
  3. Make admissions criteria for elite institutions more holistic.
  4. Encourage self-acceptance that is not tied to narrow measures of achievement.
  5. Foster empathy and connection across social divides.
 

With more nuanced policies and mindsets, we can retain meritocracy’s ethic of rewarding hard work while mitigating its psychological harms. The goal should be to advance human potential in all its diversity, not just ratify the privileged.

Patrocinado
Pesquisar
Patrocinado
Categorias
Leia mais
Outro
Gluconix integratore per il trattamento del diabete
Il diabete è senza dubbio una delle malattie permanenti più frequenti in assoluto....
Por Carusel 2025-04-23 22:26:34 0 2KB
Shopping
Beluck Hair Offers Budget Friendly Human Hair Wigs
Beluck hair is more than just a store or a reseller of someone else's products. We are our...
Por mslynnhair 2023-10-16 08:21:45 0 3KB
Jogos
Mahadev Book ID: Unlock Features for Seamless Gameplay
Cricket is not just a sport; it is a passion that unites millions of fans worldwide. The thrill...
Por Madrasbook2 2025-01-06 14:01:58 0 2KB
News
Automatic Banding Machine Market Growth Analysis, Future Business Trends 2033
The global automatic banding machine market is projected to experience robust growth,...
Por nk99fmi 2024-09-11 17:52:52 0 2KB
Military-Arms/Equipment
The Case for Saving the F-22 Raptor
Clipping the F-22’s wings not only weakens America, but incurs the massive financial and...
Por Ikeji 2025-09-22 14:45:11 0 627
Patrocinado
google-site-verification: google037b30823fc02426.html