Hey, I am trying to do a research paper on what causes people to idolize celebrities.
Does any one know any scholarly sources that have the psychological reason for this?
2007-02-26 08:19:54 · 10 answers · asked by Ezro 1 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Celebrities
I highly recommend "The Power Elite" by C. Wright Mills.
One theory is that as societies become more secular and technologically advanced, the need for traditional forms of worship and religion withers. However, there is still a need to believe in something bigger than one's self and celebrities often fit the bill.
Another book you should look at is "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Media" by Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky. Their theory is that celebrity news (and sports) are distractions which give people something to obsess over rather than focusing on the concrete issues which effect their daily lives and which they may have some control over.
2007-02-26 08:44:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone thinks they are so much better or prettier than us, and we tend to make our main goal in life to be like our idol. We get the deluded feeling that if only we could be like them, our lives would run so much better, when really it would make it just, if not more, chaotic, than the life we live today. Have you seen what happens to present-day celebrities? (cough wink Britney) We'd be much better off setting our own goals from our own hearts rather than partying like a celeb. Don't get me wrong, some can be great role models, but many are people who lead such immoral lives that they hardly deserve a life in the spotlight. <3
2007-02-26 16:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by The Prep 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck with that. I want to know as well. I can't figure out why people find celebrities so fascinating. Here are people pretending to do what most of us do on a daily basis and they are getting paid rediculous amounts of money for it. If you can figure out what the fascination is, please shed some light on it for the rest of us. Celebrities are people who have sold their souls and I can't see what is so idolizing about that. Thank you and may GOD help us all.
2007-02-26 16:25:31 · answer #3 · answered by cookie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, jeez, maybe due to the fact they are well known, usually have lots of money, and fame.
Maybe if the celebrity is an actor/actress a person falls in love with the character instead of the person.
2007-02-26 16:23:22 · answer #4 · answered by Fred L 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
they have no minds of their own,,, start by researching causes of low self-esteem and why people idolize those they perceive as being better than themselves,,, then add a dose of overhype and repitiitous media worshipping and then they are trained (see Pavlov-beginning psych) to bow down to their "idols"
2007-02-26 16:26:31 · answer #5 · answered by Chazz Drizzler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they have a lot of $$ and if people act like them they think they will too
2007-02-26 16:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by ænima 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm also preparing to discuss this with my class tomorrow, you may want to check this link:
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/node/414
2007-02-28 06:01:42 · answer #7 · answered by woodenbrick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's been done before.To keep your mind off the war.
2007-02-26 16:24:31 · answer #8 · answered by Ms Lety 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
read this maybe it will help.
http://www.answers.com/topic/idolatry
2007-02-26 16:30:40 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-02-26 16:22:03 · answer #10 · answered by sleepy 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋