In the second half of the twentieth century, U.S. Merton, who hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires, an example of which is the way young fans may idolize and imitate professional athletes or entertainment artists. The term role model is credited to sociologist Robert K. JSTOR ( March 2019) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success serves as a model to be emulated by others, especially by younger people.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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