Abstract: Previous studies provide contradicting evidence on same-sex role model effects in education. We resolve those contradictions with a meta-analysis and a super-study. Our meta-analysis summarizes 25 studies, and our super-study provides new evidence from 86 countries and 3.8 million students. Both approaches highlight that role model effects on students’ performance are small: 0.036 SD in the meta-analysis and 0.015 SD in the super-study. Moving beyond test scores  our super-study documents larger role model effects of 0.063 SD on job preferences, which are concentrated in rich and gender-equal countries. Our results suggest that same-sex role models do not close performance gaps but may help reduce occupational segregation.

for further information contact patrizia.pellizzari@unibocconi.it