The Science of Role Models - Jerry Albright Version

If Jerry builds it you will come 

What would Jerry Albright do
if he was here right now?

PLAY CLIP - Jerry - I'm here for the little people

Is it better to work on your own or with a group of people who are better than you? Someone like Jerry Albright for instance? Common sense tells us that when you see someone else do something difficult you will know it's possible and be more inclined to do it too. The study below proves it.

It claims that all you have to do is bring a good role model - like Jerry Albright - to mind and you will be inclined to follow her lead.

However, common sense also tells us that role models can do no more than give us a little push. If you have many inclinations that pull you in another direction it's unlikely that a role model alone will turn you around.

You can call up Jerry and ask what he would do but you only do it because you're no Jerry. And a bit of advice won't turn you into one either.

Experiment 1
Subjects were told to think about a friend with good self-control. Others were told to think about a friend with bad self-control. Then they were tested to see how long they could press a handgrip. Those who thought about someone with good self-control were able to persist longer.
Experiment 2
Subjects watched others choose a carrot from a plate in front of them instead of a cookie. Others watched people eat the cookies. They were tested for self-control. The people who watched the carrot-eaters showed more self-control.
Experiment 3
Subjects listed friends with good self-control and bad self-control. Then they did a test on a computer to measure self-control.  During the test, the computer wd flash names for 10 milliseconds. That's too fast to read but it will bring the names to mind subliminally. When the computer flashed the names of friends with good self-control the subjects scored higher on the self-control test.
Experiment 4
Subjects wrote about a friend with good self-control. Others wrote about a friend with bad self-control. Then they were tested for self-control. Those who wrote about friends with good self-control did best.
Experiment 5
Subjects were told to write about friends with good self-control. Others were told to write about friends with bad self-control. Later, those who wrote about good-self control were able to identify words related to self-control faster. (Examples: achieve, discipline, effort). This means that exposure to people with good self-control brings thoughts about self-control to the top of your mind.
Conclusion
When you see others are able to do something difficult you will be more inclined to do it too.

Source: Science Daily

Views: 150

Comment by Jerry Albright on January 27, 2011 at 4:14pm
Who is Brian Boitano?  Does he know how to make sendouts?  How many fall offs has he had to suffer through?  What's his talent community look like?  Has he ever made a placement from Twitter?
Comment by Bill Ward on January 27, 2011 at 4:27pm
I thought Brian Boitano had already returned to his home planet Krylock.
Comment by Sandra McCartt on January 27, 2011 at 6:17pm

Those who read posts about self control lost it.

My role model is a Kaiser which causes lack of self control when adding Pastrami.

Comment by Karen Siwak on January 27, 2011 at 10:24pm
My guess - they maintained their strong moral fiber as long as they thought they were being watched, and snuck the cookies when nobody was looking.
Comment by Deanna O'Connell on January 28, 2011 at 10:15am
But Jerry just said in his blog that he sometimes watches movies before starting his day....does that still make him a good role model? :)
Comment by Recruiting Animal on January 28, 2011 at 10:22am
He subsequently deleted that posting
Comment by Jerry Albright on January 28, 2011 at 10:28am

Deanna - that is an excellent question.  The freedom to live and enjoy life on my schedule has me wondering if all this is a dream at times. 

 

The other day I watched a movie at lunch time.  I was flipping through a few channels while eating a handful of carrots and low-cal Ranch dressing when I saw an old John Wayne movie starting.  I didn't need to check with anyone - didn't need to clock out.....so there I was.....watching a movie in the middle of the day.

 

Last night though I worked until around 10:30.  A guy I've worked with in the past called and let me know the project he is on just lost a contractor and they would be more than happy for me to help them replace him.  I sprung into action, blocked everything out, told the family I was "in the zone" and did my thing.

 

This morning I have 2 people interested.  By the end of today I hope to have my client on the phone with the best one of them. 

 

No movies today but I might just have something wrapped up by dinner time tonight.


I LOVE THIS JOB!

Comment by Jerry Albright on January 28, 2011 at 10:29am
Animal - no I didn't.
Comment by Michael Sullivan on February 3, 2011 at 6:56pm
Do you ever feel like the characters in the movies you watch (e. g, John Wayne) when you get back on the phone?

Comment

You need to be a member of RecruitingBlogs to add comments!

Join RecruitingBlogs

Subscribe

All the recruiting news you see here, delivered straight to your inbox.

Just enter your e-mail address below

Webinar

RecruitingBlogs on Twitter

© 2024   All Rights Reserved   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service