Final answer:
Malcolm Gladwell asserts in his book Outliers: The Story of Success that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert in a field.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers: The Story of Success, it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field and become an expert. This idea emphasizes that talent alone is not enough for success, but rather, consistent and deliberate practice over time is critical. This rule suggests that, with enough dedication, anyone can become highly skilled in their chosen pursuit.
Gladwell's assertion is not just about the raw number of hours someone practices, but the quality of that practice, highlighting the importance of structured and deliberate efforts towards improvement. Moreover, in his book, Gladwell also discusses how successful individuals often receive substantial external support and opportunities that contribute to reaching the 10,000-hour mark.
The correct answer to the question, therefore, is b) 10,000 hours to become an expert, as Malcolm Gladwell has concluded.