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Distinguishing heroes from celebrities
Adrian C North1, Victoria Bland, Nicky Ellis
1School of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. acn5@le.ac.uk
British Journal of Psychology (London, England : 1953)
|April 14, 2005
Summary
This study explores the psychological differences between heroes and celebrities. Heroes are linked to emotional attachment and ordinariness, while celebrities are associated with disdain and affiliation drives.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Distinguishing between 'greatness' and 'celebrity worship' is crucial.
- Limited research has explored the psychological underpinnings differentiating heroes from celebrities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the psychological factors that differentiate perceptions of heroes and celebrities.
- To explore how individual characteristics and behaviors influence the perception of 'greatness'.
Main Methods:
- Study 1 utilized 13 attitudinal measures to compare participant responses to heroes and celebrities.
- Study 2 employed vignette methodology, manipulating 'dead versus alive' and 'good conduct versus bad conduct' to assess perceptions of a pop song's emotional significance.
Main Results:
- Heroes were characterized by emotional attachment, drive for affiliation, and perceived ordinariness.
- Celebrities were associated with drive for affiliation, disdain, and ordinariness.
- Perceptions of a pop song's emotional significance were mediated by the artist's life status (dead vs. alive) and conduct (good vs. bad).
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest distinct psychological profiles for heroes and celebrities.
- The study provides tentative theoretical explanations for the observed differences in heroism and celebrity perception.
- Future research can further elucidate the complex psychological dynamics underlying these distinctions.