Modeling or Copy Cat?

     When I was little, I always wanted to be like my older cousin, Alexis. Alexis is four years older than I am, and I always thought she was so cool. We spent a lot of time together when we were little (much to her dismay), so I would often copy the things she would do. She played with Webkinz toys, so I wanted Webkinz. She went to CCD, so I wanted to go to CCD (and I was never religious). She liked One Direction, so I liked One Direction. Looking back at it, I could see why she would find me annoying; however, I think I just admired her. 

    When I learned about modeling behavior, I immediately thought about my own behaviors around Alexis.  According to OpenEd CUNY, in modeling, also known as observational learning, "we learn by watching others and then imitating, or modeling, what they do or say." In the article, modeling is compared to the phrase "monkey see, monkey do," which is exactly what I did with Alexis; I would see her do something, and since I looked up to her, I would do it.

    Even to this day, I'd like to believe I model a lot of what I do off of Alexis. She did band in high school, so I did band in high school. She went to Penn State, so I went to Penn State (which I transferred out of, but point still stands). She just graduated from law school and passed the bar exam, and I am planning on going to law school. People are most likely to model someone who they admire, and I am lucky enough to have such a smart and successful cousin to grow up around and observe. I believe I am a better person today due to her influence on me.