Celebrity Worship? What would the the psychological aspect of that be?

Question

So far it seems that this is the Law of Personification. You sort of subject a personification from information that you receive from the media to create the celebrity that you think you "care for." But is there an actual psychological term that sums up the obsession for movie stars?

Answer 1

well i can not comment from a 'professional' phychological aspect but i can comment on my view of celebrity worship and celebrities in general.

I think an obsession with movie stars would show that somebody is lacking in their real lives, or that they are a bit immature in their mind...

I know this is a massive generialisation- but i think as a whole most movie stars just want fame, money, and as actors they have no idea who they are or what they want out of life as they are always acting as other people.

haha... i have to laugh at the idea of worshipping movie stars as they are not the types of people anybody should be worshipping. self centred extroverts that long for power do not make this world any better or easier for the everyday people/ especially young children/teens even 20s who are trying to find their way in the world and make sense of it. but thats a completely different issue.

I i think the' care for' movie stars is from human nature, we all want to love what we see as perfect or wonderful and beautiful and alot of movie stars are portrayed as this. but remeber they are actors... always on a stage, this includes : in interview, talk shows and speech acceptances, and obviously they are extremely good at it- hence why they are famous and people become obsessed with them- !

Answer 2

Interest in celebrities makes the world go round (their world that is). It is a fine line between a fun pastime and an obsession. I have a family member who lives to watch a soap opera to the extent that she rewrites the story line her way complete with other actors playing the parts. That is an extreme example and her behavior could be considered obsessive compulsive. Another concern is that the Bible says not to have false idols, so again, I mean not to take it to extremes. Balance is the key. I like to watch American Idol and am crazy about Taylor Hicks, but I keep my involvement with celebrity issues in perspective.

Answer 3

I don't think very highly of most musicians or movie stars... I have met enough of each, to understand how they are always a huge let down in person. It is our expectations of them that make them what they are in most cases.

I think teenagers with low self esteem and or an identity crisis are the ones who do this mostly? To the point where they are obsessed with every little detail of the persons life.

I think we all did that to one extent or another when we were kids though... There are magazines that perpetuate that very behavior and depend on it for sales...

Answer 4

i wouldn't know if there is a psychological term but i sure know the effect it has on the 'celeb' and the fans of the celeb/the society at large. celebrity worship has had a negative impact on our world to the point that it destroys both the 'celebrity' and the world at large. All you need as facts and figures are on the tv screen and celebrity gosiip shows and magazines. this act of worship has really spoilt our world and robbed us of one of the most important things in life:
1. Love for the other person. that is irrespective of who they are, what they have,etc
2. Love for ourselves

Answer 5

We live in a sick society with no proper role models. As we all come from broken homes and being witness to the breakdown of family structure we are inclined to 'care for' and admire the unattainable achievements of celebrities. They have become our role models. But alas, they have the same backgrounds as we do.

Answer 6

I think living vicariously sums it up pretty well. The same thing happens with sports teams: you take pride in their success.