Selecting a Role Model: Reasons and Aims - Term Paper Example

? Write-up of “reoccurring themes” per document Write-up of “reoccurring themes” per document Role model A role model refers to anybody who is an example in another person‘s life, whose behavior influences others (Scarnati, 2002). The researcher wanted to know if the respondents interviewed had a role model. Therefore, the respondents were asked if they had someone they admired, either a historical figure or someone alive today. From the responses, all the respondents had role models who had advanced professionally. Jason admires the professional golfer Phil Mickelson. Kelly admires Dr. Emilia Ramirez, a psychologist who works in his office. Elizabeth admires her teacher she met during her undergraduate known as Dr. Lu Ann Butler her psychology instructor. From these responses, the researcher can say that every individual has a role model who influences him or her psychologically. Reasons for selecting the role model According to Bailyn, Drago and Kochan (2001), role models are significant. They support an individual become the individual they wanted to be and motivate people to change. Selecting wisely implies that an individual is influenced in a positive way and will assist one turn out to be the best individual within the society (Bailyn, Drago and Kochan, 2001). The respondents were asked to explain why they selected their role model. Jason states that, “I don't have any desire to follow in his footsteps and I'm not particularly impressed with his accomplishments. Rather, I am impressed by his character and approach to life.” He says this because the golfer puts his family before everything he does. He says that as a psychologist student, he will devote his life to his studies and careers. He actually admires how Phil Mickelson succeeds in his career. Kelly says that he admires her role model because she has several qualities she wishes to have herself. Kelly states that her role model lives a healthy life by eating organic and vegan foods and she loves living things. She also likes inventing and discovering new things. Elizabeth states that during her undergraduate she was married to a man who was both physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive and her psychologist teacher gave her an appointment and helped her through guidance and counseling. Character traits Traits define an individual’s personality, values and beliefs (Saul, 2003). Character traits define all aspects that refer to an individual in terms of individual behavior and beliefs (Saul, 2003). All individuals have character traits both good and bad (Saul, 2003). It was therefore important to determine the role model character traits. Therefore, the researcher asked the respondents to explain the character traits they feel are present in their specific role models. From the respondents’ responses about the role model character traits, Jason said that his role model had integrity, his selfless devotion to his family and his strength in living the way he feels is right despite the way many around him are living. Kelly said that, his role model is open to experiences, and is assertive. She has a purpose in life, and makes sacrifices to make it happen. Elizabeth said that that her role model is wise, sympatric, and knew what she was going through without Elizabeth disclosing them. Un-admirable character traits As mentioned earlier an individual can have both good and bad traits. It was therefore, important to find out if the role models possess any undesirable character traits. From the responses, Jason explained that Phil Mickelson does not allow his circumstances or those around him to change his way of life. Kelly said that his role model is assertive while at the same time is very concerned of other individuals’ well-being. She can speak her mind without coming off as rude or dismissive. Elizabeth states that her role model knew what she was going through because she had undergone the same situation. Respondents character traits in relation to the role model character traits. It was important for the researcher to determine if the respondents character traits matches the role model character traits. From the interview responses, Jason feels that he loves his career so much, but does not put his family before his education. However, he puts a lot of importance in life. Kelly, on the other hand believes that she has the same character traits as those of his role model. She feels she is caring to people around her, she is also environmental friendly, and very cautious on health matters. Elizabeth notes that she has leant to be more cautious about people and is extremely sympathetic, and wise on issues concerning marital abuse within the family. From these responses, we can conclude that the respondents have same similarities in terms of traits with their role models. Influences Influence is a power affecting an individual, object, or plan of events, particularly one that works without any obvious effort. It is the capacity to have an effect on the person or an individual (Cialdini, 2001). Role models as Cialdini (2001) indicates are influential to people, which in turn makes them change the way the think feel and act. For instance, if an individual wishes to be a singer and watches their role model perform, this individual will always strive to reach high levels and work towards obtaining the goals. Therefore, the researcher wanted to find out if their role models have influenced the respondents’ behavior, feelings and attitudes. From the interview, Jason noted that the character quality of his role model integrates in his life, influences him positively. Kelly notes that being admirable is not very important, however, he feels that his character traits influence him positively. Elizabeth also notes that, what she likes in a person is the manner in which this person treats or handles others within the community. From these responses, we can conclude that those individual character traits especially the positive ones make one admirable and a role model to others. Role model selection Role models can have dreadful traits, as well as good traits. It is therefore, important for the researcher to find out from the respondents their opinion if the role models have special traits that they admire. From the responses, Jason states that, his role model just like other people experience many challenges in life that people do not see. However, throughout his life he remains humble and selfless. Kelly on the other hand states that her role model is from California and her parents were free thinkers. According to him, his role model has not discovered what marriage really means. However, from her behaviors she puts many efforts on her ultimate goals and career achievements. Elizabeth notes that her role model concentrates on helping people and that she encourages people to consider their education rather than what others do to them. Conclusion Good models are individuals who have the virtues that people wish to have. These models are individuals who have influenced people in a manner that motivates an individual’s move to be good members of the society. Sometimes, people do not identify individuals they imitate until they have observed in their own growth and growth that they have triggered on them (Bailyn, Drago and Kochan, 2001). It is important to note that people should bear in mind that taking a model acts is a recipe of becoming exactly like the model (Bailyn, Drago and Kochan, 2001). People should always remember to maintain their independence, imitate them, but they should put their effort into the activities they actually do (Bailyn, Drago and Kochan, 2001). According to this research interview, the researcher can therefore, conclude that it is only through distinctive role models that repeated moulding of people becomes a good way of solving individual problems. Additionally, individuals within the society can develop positively. Both respectable and wicked habits are reliant on the models they opt for or admire in their lives. People should always do their utmost to be good models to others so as to promote good behaviors. References Bailyn, L., Drago, R. and Kochan, T. (2001). Integrating Work and Family Life: A Holistic Approach. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Cialdini, R.B. (2001). Influence: Science and practice (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Scarnati, J. (2002). Leaders as role models: 12 Rules. Career Development International, 7 (3) 181-189. Saul, K. (2003). Psychology. NY: Prentice-Hall, Inc. Read More