Social Behavioral Analysis: Celebrity Worship Syndrome (Parasocial Interaction)

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FIRST PAPER IN SSP3 CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: FANATICISM SPECIFICALLY ON PARASOCIAL INTERACTION/CELEBRITY WORSHIP SYNDROME Concept: Fanaticism is a belief or behavior involving uncritical zeal, particularly for a religious or political cause or in some cases sports, or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby. This conceptual analysis will focus on Celebrity Worship Syndrome, which is under the social behavior of Fanaticism. Nature of man: An individual who exercises the social behavior of fanaticism is called a fan, sometimes called aficionado or supporter (especially in political aspects). The subject of the fan’s obsession may be “normal”, such an interest in religion or politics except that the scale of the person’s involvement, devotion or obsession is rather abnormal or disproportionate. Celebrity worship syndrome is an obsessive-addictive disorder in which a person becomes overly involved with the details of a celebrity's personal life. These fans will often hold a crush on a major film or TV star, singer, athlete or celebrity. The degree of devotion to celebrities can range from a simple crush to the deluded belief that they have a special relationship with the star which does not exist. In extreme cases, this can switch to hate of the previously loved celebrity, and result in attempts at violent attacks, one notable incident being the death of Rebecca Schaeffer by a stalking fan in 1989. Psychologists have indicated that though many people obsess over glamorous film, television, sport and pop stars, the only common factor between them is that they are all figures in the public eye. This is somewhat related to the concept of parasocial interaction where audiences develop one-sided relationships with media characters and celebrities. "Celebrity worship" is a term coined by Lynn E. McCutcheon (DeVry University), Diane D. Ashe

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