"Not All Role Models are the Same"

These are slides from a workshop we conducted at the 2023 Educating for Careers conference in February. This presentation utilizes the 2015 study, “Motivational Theory of Role Modeling”, to strategize how to utilize role models to raise a student’s self-expectations and self efficacy. We discuss 3 appropriate traits a role model should have to be effective to students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

This presentation discusses the importance of role models, especially ones that students can relate to, and how authentic storytelling is key to not only exposing students to the world of career possibilities but to building self efficacy. In a 2015 study published by the Review of General Psychology, researchers presented The Motivational Theory of Role Modeling (MTRM). Using expectancy-value theories of motivation, they proposed that role models influence aspirants’ goals by “(a) acting as behavioral models, (b) representing the possible, and (c) being inspirational.” In order to raise self-expectations, role models also need to be perceived as similar to effectively serve as role models (i.e. they can’t be perceived as exceptions to the rule, like Barack Obama, for instance). Role models that possess these appropriate traits can serve as effective modes of delivering various sources of information that improve self-efficacy beliefs.