A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success serves as a model to be emulated by others, especially by younger people. There are also certain implications that role models have on young girls. The term role model is credited to sociologist Robert K. 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.

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