I actually think that modern culture does tend to divide up the population
into age groups and this is becoming increasingly the case. The excuse often
given is that the world is changing so fast that the knowledge of older people
is no longer relevant to the young. Fashion, of course, takes advantage of
this, marketing to teenagers (desperate to establish an identity, we are told)
special "young" fashions which they can use to label them as goth, geek or
jock or whatever.
Excellent early social psychology research has shown that people are more
likely to imitate those whom they see as being in their group (similar like
them in characteristics considered salient by the group). Age has become
increasingly salient. I perceive this to be a considerable problem.
Lesley
>===== Original Message From "psci-com: on the public understanding of
science" <[log in to unmask]> =====
>Diversity is good. And I share Helen's view that a role model is more than
>a target to copy. But he or she is also more than the personification of a
>widened horizon. In many cases, students know that those widened horizons
>exist. It is just that they have come to believe they do not belong to them.
>
>From my perspective, role models are living examples that a member of a
>certain community can succeed and be happy in a particular vocation,
>despite numerous contrasting messages in the media and education system. A
>successful female or black scientist helps create the view "If they can do
>it, so can I."
>
>For example, a young girl whose family and teachers bombard her with
>negative views on her suitability as a potential scientist, 'No, you cannot
>take Design Craft and Technology at school, you must do Needlework, you are
>a girl', 'You read too many books, you do', 'Materials Engineering? Do you
>mean textile design?' is amazed when she meets a successful female
>scientist. She begins to wonder, perhaps success is possible for her, too.
>
>This is not about wanting to ape someone's path, rather it is about belief
>in possibilities.
>
>This is why I sent the earlier message about the need to research the role
>models of those currently excluded from science as well as those who have
>been involved in some way.
>
>Jenny Gristock
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Original Message:
>-----------------
>From: Helen E. Mason [log in to unmask]
>Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 11:45:49 +0000
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Role Models (was Inspirational quotes)
>
>
>I have been following some of the email exchanges and cannot help
>but think that the interest and excitement conveyed to the students
>about a particular subject must also play an important role.
>This is independent of age. Surely students can relate to people
>of any age, although they may not necessarily want to be like them.
>The concept of a 'role model' is surely not that someone should seek
>to be the same as someone else, but rather that their horizons should
>be widened...that opportunities exist for 'non-standard model' paths.
>Portraying all scientists as young, blond 'film stars' is as bad as giving
>the impression that all scientists are old, grey, scruffy and boring.
>Some people have a gift and flair for communication, others just don't.
>We are all individuals and so are the students.
>
>Helen Mason
>
>--
>
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Lesley Newson
School of Psychology
University of Exeter
Washington Singer Laboratories
Perry Road
Exeter, UK EX4 4QG
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