In San Diego this week for the NDPA Symposium and presenting today with DAP Co-founder Jayson Jackson about the importance of dismissing stereotypes, role models and other social learning concepts.  A tribute to the many DAP members that influence their own local communities.  We might even reveal a few of DAP's future plans.  Won't give you the whole presentation, but here are two quick concepts....connect the dots and see the picture...

Social Learning Theory - Social learning theory focuses on the learning that occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another, including such concepts as observational learning, imitation, and modeling.

Similarity Hypothesis - Several theorists (e.g., Bandura, 1977, 1986; Gottfredson, 1981; Hackett & Byars, 1996) have argued that individuals seek career role models whom they perceive as similar to them regarding some easily identifiable characteristics because they assume that such role models' experiences would apply to their own lives as well.  In other words, a role model will be inspirational only to the degree that a person is able to identify with that model, and "evidence that dissimilar persons succeed from time to time does not necessarily persuade observers that they, too, can attain such outcomes from their efforts" (Bandura, 1986, p. 302).

Exerts From: The relationship between race and students' identified career role models and perceived role model influence by Danesh Karunanayake, Margaret M. Nauta