Researcher ORCID Identifier
0009-0008-4715-9568
Graduation Year
2025
Date of Submission
4-2025
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Ronald Riggio
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2025 Gabrielle J Ong
Abstract
This thesis examines how early family environments—defined in this paper by parenting and attachment styles—influence the development of transformational leadership and star followership qualities in children. By integrating research from behavioral and developmental psychology, it explores how authoritative parenting and secure attachment foster self-concept, extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. These traits, in turn, predict transformational leadership behaviors such as intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration, as well as star followership traits like active engagement and independent thinking. Through this, a conceptual model is proposed to illustrate the pathways from parenting and attachment to leadership and followership outcomes, mediated by personality, self-concept, and role modeling, and moderated by differential susceptibility and cultural context. Finally, techniques to promote authoritative parenting through fostering warmth, structure, high expectations, and open communication, as well as evidence-based programs like Triple P, are discussed. Ultimately, this thesis highlights how early relational experiences with one’s parents shape not just who children become, but how they lead and follow.
Recommended Citation
Ong, Gabrielle J., "Built by Family: How Early Environments Shape Transformational Leaders and Star Followers" (2025). CMC Senior Theses. 3947.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3947
Included in
Child Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Commons, Personality and Social Contexts Commons
