What is the main premise of the theory of cummulative theory? A.) those who begin life with few resources eventually catch up B.) inequality tends to be static C.) those who have greater resources and more opportunites to acquire additional resources D.) inequality in old age is random
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
C.) those who have greater resources and more opportunities to acquire additional resources
Explanation (300 words):
The cumulative advantage/disadvantage theory (often referred to as cumulative inequality theory) is a sociological and gerontological theory that explains how inequality grows over a person’s life. Its central premise is that advantages and disadvantages accumulate over time, leading to increasingly divergent outcomes among individuals as they age.
At the core of the theory is the idea that those who start life with more resources—such as wealth, education, social support, or access to healthcare—are more likely to gain even more resources over time. These initial advantages enable people to access better opportunities, which leads to further success and accumulation of benefits. Conversely, those who begin with fewer resources are less likely to obtain new opportunities and may fall further behind. This creates a snowball effect, where small differences early in life can lead to large disparities in well-being, income, and health by old age.
This theory challenges the notion that people “even out” over time. Instead, it asserts that inequality is dynamic—it increases throughout the life course. For example, a child born into a poor family with limited access to quality education may continue to face barriers throughout life, while a child from a wealthy family may have greater support and face fewer obstacles.
The theory is important in understanding social stratification, especially in areas like aging, education, and health. It emphasizes the importance of early interventions and policies aimed at reducing inequality before disparities grow too wide to close.
Therefore, the correct choice is C: those who have greater resources and more opportunities to acquire additional resources—because it directly reflects the self-reinforcing cycle of accumulation described in cumulative theory.