Adolescent Modeling after Luminary and Star Idols and Development of Self-efficacy

ABSTRACT

In theory, modeling after the luminary idol can foster the adolescent's perception of self-efficacy. Rather than being an alienated subordinate to the idol, adolescents who model after their idols can actively develop their potential. They can benefit from modeling after luminaries who are talented and resourceful. In contrast, adoring star idols would tend to be an alienating activity that denigrates the adolescent's self-efficacy. The study investigates these expected impacts of idol worship with data from 1,641 Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Results verify the expected modeling effect after idols and particularly luminary ones. The social learning effect was stronger for males in general and adolescents in Hong Kong.