Research

Working Papers

Inspirational or Demotivational: Experimental Evidence on the Impacts of Role Models

Abstract: High-achieving role models can raise aspirations and improve performance, but may negatively affect individuals who fail to meet their goals. In this paper, I study what role model characteristics influence their effectiveness in improving academic performance. Using a randomized controlled trial with students across five middle schools in China, I compare the impacts of role models with different success levels. Two months later, students exposed to higher-achieving role models improved test scores by 0.07-0.18 standard deviations, whereas those exposed to moderately achieving role models experienced an average 28.8% and 26.6% reduction in the likelihood of feeling depressed and stressed, respectively. Higher-achieving role models improve low-performing girls' academic outcomes but negatively affect their mental health, as these girls invested more effort but still found their improved performance falling short of their elevated aspirations. This paper highlights the negative impacts of role models on the mental health of an underperforming subgroup as a cost for enhancing their performance, emphasizing the importance of consider mental health when using role model interventions.