Why Role Models Matter

"I worked in Judy's lab throughout graduate school, earning a master's and a Ph.D. under her mentorship. She taught me how to write, how to do research, and how to think scientifically. Most importantly, she taught me how to navigate a difficult and competitive career as a woman in a male-dominated field, and how to do it with dignity and grace."

"I looked up to her, I emulated her, and any accomplishments I've ever had career- wise are because I had her there to hold my hand. I am so very sad to lose her presence in my life, but I've also been reflecting on how lucky I was to have her in it for so long. In psychology, a model is someone you can imitate to learn something new."

A long-term mentor provided career guidance, scientific training, and personal support, enabling graduate-level achievements and professional development. The mentor taught writing, research methods, scientific thinking, and strategies for navigating a male-dominated field with dignity and grace. The mentee experiences deep loss and gratitude while reflecting on the mentor's impact on career accomplishments. Psychological definitions distinguish models—people to imitate—from role models, which are positive influences that inspire good behaviors. Research indicates the most effective role models are competent, meaningfully similar, and demonstrate attainable success. Gender and racial similarity appears especially important for women and historically marginalized groups in education and STEM persistence.

Read at Psychology Today