Culture
Why are so many of us so obsessed with celebrities? In most cases, this is completely natural. Psychologists say that humans are social creatures, and we have evolved, and we still do so, in an environment where those at the very top attract the most the amount of attention from others. The celebrity craze is a consequence of this trend, which is fueled by media and technology.
“In Western society, celebrities act on people like drugs,” says James Houran, a psychologist at HVS Executive Search, who created the first questionnaire, using which can be measured by celebrity worship. “They're all around us and they fascinate us.”
It is only relatively recently in human history that people have constant access to gossip and news about celebrities. But celebrities in and of themselves are not a new phenomenon. People have been watching monarchs for a long period of time, both from a social point of view and from a fashion point of view. “Even hunter-gatherer societies where material wealth mattered little, there was a hierarchical status,” says Daniel Kruger, an evolutionary psychologist at Michigan State University. Other primate species also closely monitored the lives of dominant individuals in their groups.
“Various reasons contributed to this,” Kruger continues. “One of them is an attempt to find out how high-status people behave and what can help them climb the social ladder; another reason is political. Knowing what happens to high-status people will help you better navigate public life.”
Brad Pete's good relationship with his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston certainly can't make a difference in the average person's life, but one way or another, the social trend is about watching life celebrities are deeply rooted in our societies.
Celebrities themselves, as well as the media, are actively using this trend. The stars give interviews, share interesting information about their personal lives, and even get in direct contact with their fans on social media. As a result of “parasocial” relationships (a psychological term for a one-sided relationship between fans and their idols), this is easier today than ever.
Also, achieving fame seems much easier. “You have so many opportunities to become a celebrity because there are so many platforms out there today,” says Stuart Fischoff, Professor psychology at the University of California. At the same time, as Kruger emphasizes, celebrity obsession is intentionally cultivated. “All of this relates to smart marketing moves,” he says.
Turning an ordinary person into a fan
In most cases, celebrity interest is not a big deal. Even for some obsessed fans, celebrity worship can only provide some social connection, for very shy people, however, this obsession can serve a kind of” psychological prosthesis.”
“Thus, this parasocial communication gives them something that they did not have before, that is, psychologically they take for themselves the best they can take in the absence of normal communication,” says Fishoff. However, there are some nuances. Huran and his colleagues found it was too easy to divide fans into casual, standard fans and obsessive stalkers. In fact, celebrity worship is a continuum.
“The bad news is that stalkers live in each of us,” he continues. When celebrity worship goes above and beyond, that's when problems begin. People enjoy all possible gossip about their hero, then there is a shift: a person begins to think about the object of their worship all the time, forgetting about family and friends. This is where exciting and compulsive behavior comes into play.
Finally, some people reach a stage where they believe they have a close relationship with their idol and take that connection very seriously. When asked if they would do anything illegal if their favorite celebrity asked them to do it, they immediately say yes.
A person's personality plays a fundamental role in whether or not a person becomes obsessed. Self-centered people, as well as those with traits such as irritability, impulsiveness, and moodiness, are more susceptible. The environment also has an impact. People become more sensitive when they are at the stage of “personal upset”. If a person is going through a divorce, losing a job, or having trouble in a relationship, then celebrity obsession can be a lifeline for them to cling to.
“Star worship seems to be nothing more than an attempt to fill a certain void in a person's life; it gives him a sense of identity, a sense of self. His psychological need is nourished.”