Social Explanations of Celebrity Flashcards
What are 4 social psychological explanations of celebrity attraction?
- Social learning theory
- Social identity theory
- Group cohesion
- Leadership
What does the social learning theory of celebrity attraction suggest?
Celebrities act as role models who we identify with. Because of this, they are a source of vicarious reinforcement and so when they do well and succeed, we then feel better about ourselves as well.
What does the social identity theory of celebrity attraction suggest?
That celebrity is part of our social identity through things such as membership of fan clubs and shared admiration. The attraction of the celebrity defines your social group, and therefore, yourself.
What does group cohesion suggest about celebrity attraction?
Celebrities provide a common topic to talk about that helps build up a social network.
What does leadership suggest about celebrity attraction?
A celebrity may function as a leader for a group of people - someone they look up to and aspire to be like.
What is a parasocial relationship?
A one-sided relationship - one individual is attracted to the other, but the other individual is unaware of their existence.
What study did Schiappa carry out into parasocial relationships?
Meta analysis
Found - parasocial relationships tended to be with celebrities who were seen as attractive and similar in some way to the viewer - someone the viewer can relate to.
Who introduced the model of the 3 different types of paracsoial relationships, what is it called, and what are the 3 different types?
Maltby et al - Absorption-Addiction model
- Entertainment-Social
- Intense-Personal
- Borderline-Pathological
What does an entertainment-social relationship involve?
Individuals regard their favourite celebrity as a source of entertainment and of social interaction.
Includes for example keeping up with news about them. The most common type of parasocial relationship.
What does an intense-personal relationship involve?
Individuals have intense and compulsive feelings towards their favourite celebrity.
Includes for example considering them to be their soulmate.
What does a borderline-pathological relationship involve?
Individuals have uncontrollable intense fantasies and behaviors relating to their favourite celebrity. Goes beyond parasocial and the person believes they have a real relationship with the celebrity.
Includes for example, claiming they would die for them or believing they would be pleased to see them if they met.
What study did Maltby carry out that found that the absorption-addiction model links to mental health, and what does this explain?
Used Eysenck’s personality questionnaire.
Found - intense-personal was associated with neuroticism. This is linked w/ depression, explaining why those who display high levels of celebrity worship tend to have poorer mental health.
What did Cole find about attachment types and parasocial relationships, and why is this?
Insecure-resistant attachment types are most likely to develop parasocial relationships - satisfies their need for closeness.
Why may having a parasocial relationship may not be a bad thing for some people?
Little chance of face to face contact and rejection - insecure-resistant types have been rejected since a child so this rejection would stop when they form a parasocial relationship.
What did Derrick et al find about parasocial relationships and people’s self-esteem?
Parasocial relationships can allow those with low self-esteem to see themselves in a better light.
