The Motivational Theory of Role Modeling: How Role Models Influence Role Aspirants’ Goals

TLDR

Role models are often cited as a means to motivate individuals, particularly those from stigmatized groups, to set and pursue ambitious goals, yet the literature has rarely incorporated motivational theory to explain how this occurs. This paper introduces role aspirants and their motivational processes into role‑model research by applying expectancy–value theories to unify disparate literature into a cohesive framework. The authors conceptualize role models as serving three distinct functions—behavioral modeling, representation of the possible, and inspiration—and develop a theoretical framework that explains when and how these functions influence motivation and goal setting. The resulting Motivational Theory of Role Modeling demonstrates that role models can enhance motivation, reinforce existing goals, and facilitate the adoption of new goals.

Abstract

Role models are often suggested as a way of motivating individuals to set and achieve ambitious goals, especially for members of stigmatized groups in achievement settings. Yet, the literature on role models tends not to draw on the motivational literature to explain how role models may help role aspirants achieve these outcomes. In this paper, we introduce role aspirants and their motivational processes into an understanding of role modeling by drawing on expectancy–value theories of motivation to bring together the disparate literatures on role models to form a cohesive theoretical framework. We first integrate different definitions of role models into a new conceptualization where we propose that role models serve 3 distinct functions in which they influence goals and motivation: acting as behavioral models, representing the possible, and being inspirational. We then build a theoretical framework for understanding not only when, but also how, role models can effectively influence motivation and goals. This new theoretical framework, the Motivational Theory of Role Modeling, highlights ways in which the power of role models can be harnessed to increase role aspirants’ motivation, reinforce their existing goals, and facilitate their adoption of new goals.