role model

n.
A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

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Origin: 1957

Sometimes we learn by imitation. We look around for somebody who is doing what we want to do in a way that we admire or at least accept. And then we take that person as an example to follow.

It doesn't take a Rocket Scientist (1985) to notice that people imitate each other. But it does take a social scientist to come up with a name for the person who is imitated: the role model.

We say role model easily now, but inventing that term took years of hard work on the part of American sociologists. They began by talking about reference groups, the "groups whose behavior serves as a model for others." Then the first big breakthrough: There are also reference individuals, "particular people that we imitate." Then a false start: How about calling these people reference idols? After all, we talk about idols and heroes often enough. But somehow reference idols didn't catch on.

Meanwhile, in the 1950s, the sociologist Robert K. Merton was making a distinction between reference individuals, who serve as patterns for living, and role models, whom we imitate in specific roles like chasing tornadoes, playing basketball, or parenting. We find the latter in a collection of articles about the "student-physician" in 1957: "By the time students enter law or medical school, those whose decisions were made earliest are most likely to have a role model."

Today, Merton's careful distinction is long forgotten by everyone, except perhaps sociologists. Nowadays role models can model whole lives as well as particular skills. We seek good role models to follow and criticize those who are bad role models. And we know that when we grow up, for better or worse, we can expect to be role models too.

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A person whose behaviour and attitude conforms with that which society or other social groups expects of a person in his or her position, and who has become an example for others to copy.

Quotes:

"I never thought a role model should be negative." - Michael Jordan

"When I was coaching, the one thought that I would try to get across to my players was that everything I do each day, everything I say, I must first think what effect it will have on everyone concerned." - Frank Layden

"I think it's an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light, and that's what I want to do. That's what it's all about." - Tiger Woods

A person who serves as an example of the values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with a role. For example, a father is a role model for his sons. Role models can also be persons who distinguish themselves in such a way that others admire and want to emulate them. For example, a woman who becomes a successful brain surgeon or airline pilot can be described as a role model for other women.

n

A person who inspires others to imitate his or her persona, values, and goals.

For a list of words related to role model, see:

• Social Types, Norms, and Symbols - role model: person whom others copy when developing attitudes, values, and behavior patterns
• Respectful or Admiring Reference

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