Media

Question 1

What is the clearest example of Anti social behaviour?

Answer 1

Aggression

Question 2

What does ASB stand for?

Answer 2

Antisocial behaviour

Question 3

Who claimed aggression is learnt?

Answer 3

Bandura

Question 4

What two ways does Bandura claim aggression is learnt by?

Answer 4

By direct experience (agreed with Skinner, rewards)

By observing people (goes beyond skinner, role model)

Question 5

Key elements for SLT of aggression from media

Answer 5

Attention
Retention
Motivation

Question 6

How does SLT help explain media influences on ASB

Answer 6

Attention- observer pays attention to model
Retention- observer retains a memory of the observed behaviour
Motivation- Observer wants to copy behaviour

Question 7

Example of Attention

Answer 7

Observer paying attention to violent characters

Films encourage this with exciting music and special effects

Question 8

Example of Retention

Answer 8

Observer retains a memory of the observed behaviour

Memorable characters played by well known actors and engaging storylines make this more likely

Question 9

Examples of Motivation

Answer 9

Observer wants to copy behaviour

Question 10

What increases chances of motivation?

Answer 10

Role model is of high status

Observer can easily identify with role model e.g. gender, ethnicity, age

Observer sees role model get rewarded for behaviour - Vicarious reinforcement

Question 11

What is Vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 11

Vicarious reinforcement is when the observer sees the role model being rewarded for their behaviour and is motivated to copy this behaviour as they want the same reward.

Question 12

What is vicarious punishment?

Answer 12

Vicarious Punishment is when the observer sees the role model receiving punishment and is put off copying the behaviour due to the punishment.

Question 13

Study by Bandura about children’s response to TV violence

Answer 13

Aim- to observe children responses to seeing a tv programme with aggressive model who is either punished, rewarded or no consequence.

Method-

IV: whether model is punished, rewarded, or nothing
DV: number of children who imitate behaviour

Ppts= 33 boys, 33 girls aged between 3yrs 6 months and 6yrs, randomly allocated to one of three conditions of 11 boys and 11 girls

Question 14

Results from Bandura’s study about children’s responses to TV violence

Answer 14

Children in no consequence and reward condition imitated significantly more aggressive behaviours than children in model punished condition.

No difference between children in model reward condition and no consequence

Question 15

Conclusion of Bandura’s study about children’s responses to TV violence

Answer 15

The administration of punishment reduces whether or not children imitate aggressive behaviours but it does not influence the degree to which they learn them

Question 16

Evaluation of SLT explanation of media influences on ASB

using Bandura

Answer 16

Bandura supports SLT. All of the children were able to copy the model’s aggressive actions towards a Bobo Doll when given an incentive. Because they watched Rocky on television the study suggests that children can learn from violence shown in the media.

Children in the condition where the ending of the film showed Rocky being punished were less likely to spontaneously imitate than children in the no consequences condition. This supports SLT’s idea that if there is no vicarious punishment of aggression, viewers will be more motivated to imitate the violence they have learned.

Question 17

more Evaluation of SLT of media influences on ASB

Answer 17

Comstock and Paik’s meta analysis of more than 1000 findings on effects of media violence showed strong shot terms effects rather than long term. They found that if person behaving violently is portrayed as similar to viewer increases effects. This supports motivation cement of SLT as if the observer can easily identify themselves with the role model they are more motivated to copy behaviour. Supports importance of identification.

Question 18

Support for vicarious reinforcement:

Answer 18

Bandura study

Comstock and Paik’s- found that if violent behaviour is presented as being an efficient way to get what one wants which links to SLT as observer see’s role model being rewarded or achieving what they want which encourages observer to imitate behaviour. Vicarious reinforcement

Phillips- found increased rate of murders of african american males following a publicised boxing fight where black fighter lost. Found also increased murder rates of white males following boxing match where white boxer was defeated- absence of vicarious punishment, vicarious reinforcement: money.

Question 19

Methodological evaluation for Bandura

Answer 19

Laboratory experiments supporting SLT often lack validity in how they operationalise aggression for example a Bobo Doll does not feel pain. If this were the only evidence it would undermine the validity of SLT. However findings into real world aggression e.g. Phillips and Comstock and Paiks studies into long term effects are also supportive. SLT is therefore supported by a wealth of well triangulated evidence, suggesting that it is a valid way of explaining media effects on ASB.

Question 20

Desensitisation explanation of media influences on ASB

Answer 20

Anderson et al defines desensitisation as a reduction in distress-related physiological reactivity to observations or thoughts of violence.

Empathy is reduced due to level of exposure from films and TV- more likely to act aggressively.

Question 21

Evaluation of desensitisation explanation of media influences on ASB

Answer 21

Grafman supports desensitisation as teenage boys were exposed to video clips of violent scenes over time and they showed reduced activity in the orbitofrontrol cortex and reduced skin conductance response. The SCR measures general emotional arousal and the OFC regulates emotional sensitivity. Thus the results suggest that exposure to violent media dulls the emotional response .

Question 22

Methodological evaluation of Grafman

Answer 22

High control using MRI scans to measure

Wouldn’t watch that many clips consecutively, would have breaks

Only used boys

Question 23

Evaluation SLT considering Desensitisation

Answer 23

A limitation of SLT is that it focus is exclusively psychological. It takes no account of the physiological effects of watching media violence on the brain. Therefore complementing SLT’s explanation with desensitisation gives a fuller picture than can SLT alone

Question 24

Evaluate one explanation of media influences on anti-social behvaiour

Answer 24

• Bandura: kids copied behaviour on bobo doll with incentive: kids can learn violence
• Results of study: punished model showed kids less likely to imitate- supports SLT as vicarious punishment
• Problem as lab exp on SLT lack validity, operationalise aggression bobo doll no pain. However philips and comstock and paik results into long term effects support
• Phillips study into boxing supports copycat violence, identification:
• SLT well triangulated evidence - practical applications such as limiting amount of exposure through film censorship
• Limitation is focus’ on psychological and not physiological and brain but desensitisation helps this

Question 25

Define Pro social behaviour

Answer 25

An act that benefits others but which may appear to have no direct benefit for the person performing it

Question 26

Summary of Mares meta analysis

Answer 26

Positive interaction
Altruism- sharing, offering help
Self-control- resistance to temptation

Question 27

What is content analysis ?

Answer 27

Content analysis is a systematic technique for analysing documents or text including adverts, TV, song lyrics or films

involves extracting quantitate from qualitative data in an objective way

Observed variable must be operationalised , categorising using mares 3 categories.

Inter rate reliability by having two coders and compare

Question 28

Description of SLT explanation of media influences on PSB

Answer 28

Attention- bright colours, music upbeat

Retention- simple relatable storylines and characters

Motivation- relatable characters

Vicarious Punishment- naughty characters punished

Vicarious Reinforcement- Good characters rewarded

Question 29

Evaluation of SLT explanation of media influences on PSB

Answer 29

Sprafkin et al:

Kids aged 5/6 watched 1 of 3 films
A) Lassie- boy saved dog
B) Lassie- positive message about dog
C) Brady Bunch- family comedy

Button pressing game to win prizes and asked to press button if they could hear a puppy barking so and to make choice between puppy and prize

Results:

Kids in condition A chose to help puppy more quickly and for longer periods than children in other two conditions

Question 30

How does Sprafkin’s study support SLT and PSB?

Answer 30

SLT is about imitating behaviour children acted altruistically towards dog.

Comparison between A nd B shows that a programme with altruistic behaviour is more powerful than a programme encouraging altruism in a abstract way.

Comparison between A and C shows that watching altruism leads to more altruism than just watching TV

Question 31

Ostrov support for PSB

Answer 31

OStrov assessed educational TV viewing in 76 3-4 yrs by questioning parents, followed them up two years measuring pro social behaviour. Found children were more. likely to imitate PSB in same sex than in opposite sex role models

Association could b because of learning through mechanism proposed by SLT
Imitating same sex (Motivation)
Bandura- importance of identification

Question 32

Methodological evaluation of Ostrov (SLT +PSB)

Answer 32

Social desirability of parents not accurate measure of DV

Longitudinal ppts could drop out

Question 33

Negative effects of video games on behaviour

Answer 33

Violent games may cause aggressive behaviour

Video games may damage social relationships

Question 34

Anderson & Dill first study into effect of aggressive behaviour

Answer 34

Lab exp where two games playing (one violent killing nazi guards) and Myst (non-violent fast paced thinking game)

210 psychology undergraduates
IV: game
DV: length of blast of white noise

Found that ppts who played Wolfenstein gave longer blasts of white noise which suggests that playing violent video games increases aggressive behaviour in short term by encouraging aggressive thoughts

Question 35

Anderson & Dill 2nd study

Answer 35

227 psychology undergraduates completed questionnaires to measure trait aggression and delinquency both general and aggressive.

They also completed questionnaires about their five favourite video games looking at how often they played them and ho violin the content of the graphics was. They multiplied the 2 scores creating an exposure to video violence score

Scores correlated positively with those for trait aggression and for delinquency both aggressive and non-aggressive. Suggests that these longer lasting effects come about because violent game content teaches aggressive attitude and ways of behaving leading to personality changes.

Question 36

Weber et al

Answer 36

Desensitisation:

Male ppts placed in a fMRI scanner and played a violent video game

Part of brain which is used to generate empathy was less active during violent game play

Suggests that playing violent video games leads to desensitisation

Question 37

Evaluation of research into the effect of aggressive behaviour referring to video games

Answer 37

A&D #1: lab exp- not generalisable as would play game for longer int eat life and maybe more frequent
Wolfenstein game not realistic concept
White noise may not reflect aggression
+Matched pairs

A&D #2:
Self report- social desirability, not answering honestly about aggressive tendencies affecting ecological validity
Operationalise word violent for content of game

Weber:
FMRI- objective measure
Triangulation- previous research from self reports
Publication bias

Ferguson:
analysed 17 studies published between 1995 and 2007 no evidence for link once publication was counted for.

Question 38

Description of research into the damaging effect on social realtionships

Answer 38

Padilla Walker et al found in a survey of 813 university student that as the amount of time playing video games increased the quality of relationship with peer and parents decreased.

AO2:
Playing todo games might cause poorer relationships as young people remove themselves from social settings to play. Or they may already by struggling with relationships and have turned to video games as an escape or alternative way to spend time

People more likely to isolate themselves as can play online with friends

Question 39

Positive effects of games

Answer 39

Relaxing an pro-social games may cause pro-social behaviour

Active games like Wii Sports may encourage physical activity

Question 40

Research evidence for effect on pro social behaviour Whitaker and Bushman

Answer 40

Whitaker and Bushman:
116 college student played either a violent, neutral or relaxing video game for 20 mins then completed a mood questionnaire.

Experimenter announced study was over then asked for help to sharpen pencils

The number of pencils that ppts chose to sharpen was used to measure pro-social behaviour

Results showed that ppts who played the relaxing video games chose to sharper more pencils than other games. They also rated themselves as feeling happier and more positive.

Suggests that relaxing video games put people in a good mood and display bro euro social behaviour like helping others.

AO2:

Questionnaire- social desirability
subjective scale
Only played for 20 mins- would normally play for longer
Sharpening pencils =not necessarily PSB

Question 41

Research evidence for effect on pro social behaviour Gentile

Answer 41

Nearly 2000 japanese children aged between 10-17 completed 2 questionnaires. Done twice with 3-4 month span

Rated how often in previous month they had played video games with two types of pro social scenes

Also rated ow often in previous month they had done one of four helpful behaviours

AO2:
\+Big sample 
\+Longitudinal- long term effects
-Longitudinal ppts drop out
-Self report- SD

Question 42

Research evidence for effect on physical activity

Answer 42

Mellecker et al compared heart rate and calorie expenditure in children whilst playing types of game and during rest.

Compared with the resting condition 39% more calories were burned during the seated bowling game
98% during the active bowling game
and 451% more during the active running game

AO2
Such games have potentially important practical implication in helping to prevent obesity
However difficult to come to a definitive conclusion because of individual differences. For people keen on real sport playing tennis for real burns 4x more calories.
One advantage of virtual games is that they can develop confidence in people to try sport for real improving coordination and skill.

Question 43

Models explaining the persuasive effects of media

Answer 43

Holland-Yale model

Elaboration likelihood model

Question 44

3 components of attitudes with persuasion

Answer 44

Affective: feelings/emotions about the attitude subject
Behavioural: tendency to act in a certain way in relation to the attitude object
Cognitive: Beliefs and thoughts about the attitude object

Question 45

Holland-Yale model

Answer 45

Cognitive model where persuasion relies on a message being learned and remembered.

Model describes factors which affect

• how persuasive the message is
• process by which persuasion occurs and the comes of persuasion

Question 46

Hovland-Yale Model: Name the factors that persuasiveness is affected by

Answer 46

• Source: who is doing the persuading
• Message: the content of what is said. This can take different forms
• Audience: The person(s) being persuaded

Question 47

Hovland-Yale Model: Process of being persuaded

Answer 47

Attitude change is sequential- takes place in stages

Attention: bombarded daily with adverts- have to notice an advert to be persuaded

Comprehension: we then have to understand it. We won’t be persuaded if it ‘goes over our head’

Then we will react to the advert, either with acceptance or rejection

Question 48

Describe the Hovland-Yale model

Answer 48

The model, which is based in media/cognitive psychology, identifies various factors which affect how persuasive media communication is. First, persuasiveness depends on the source of the communication- for example an expert is seen to be more reliable than someone who is not an expert so will be more persuasive. Secondly aspect of the message are important such as how much fear a health advert arouses. Finally the nature of the audience is important, such as levels of self esteem (those with a high level are more resistant to persuasion than those with a moderate level.

The model says that the factors can combine with each other: when the audience is intelligent, a message which present both sides of an argument is ore likely to persuade than one-sided message.

It says that persuasion occurs in three stages. First we have to pay attention to a message, for example notice an advert on a billboard. Secondly we have to comprehend it. Finally we react to the message either with acceptance or rejection.

If media communication is accepted by someone s/he has been persuaded. S/he has undergone what the model calls ‘attitude change’, i.e. a change in how s/he thinks about feels towards and behaves towards the attitude object.

Question 49

Hovland Yale model as an explanation for effectiveness of TV advertising

Answer 49

McGuire argued that a successful advert passes through several stages: exposure, attention, comprehension, yielding, retention and decision to buy.

Advertisers job is to maximise the chance of the advert getting to the next stage ensuring consumer pays attention so s/he has a chance to understand it.

Factors influenced by model:

Attention- advertisers make their advert as attractive as possible

Comprehension- Viewer need to clearly understand the message

Example: toothpaste advert might be presented by a dentist: their apparent expertise adds to the credibility of the message.

Question 50

Elaboration Likelihood model AO1

Answer 50

• Elaboration =actively engaging with a message
• how motivated they are to think about the message this is higher if a) perceives the message as personally relevant or b) is high in need for cognition (enjoys effortful thought activity)

ELM explains that TV advertisements are effective because advertiser can tailor their advert to the product and the audience.

2 routes:

Central route- deep procession, more thought and effort, focus on content of message, longer lasting change more for high NC people

Peripheral route- less effort, focus on things surrounding message i.e. attractiveness, temporary change more for Low NC people. Rich in contextual features

Factors that affect:
significant amount of money or not
dependent on product

hard sell advert during documentary
soft sell during a soap opera

Question 51

What does Elaboration likelihood mean?

Answer 51

How likely it is that a person will engage in such a careful thought

Question 52

What is need for cognition?

Answer 52

How much you think about something before making your judgement

Question 53

Elaboration Likelihood model AO2

Answer 53

Haugtvedt et al:
found attitudes of high NC people based more on product attributes; low NC on peripheral cues. Supports different routes

Research inspired by HY considers individual differences to some extent but ELM’s explanation of ID is more profound

ELM is more sophisticated in distinguishing between permanent and temporary persuasion- CR more likely to permanent persuasion so ad repetition more impacting for soft sell

HY- attention and understanding =persuasion is too simplistic. ELM is more sophisticated in considering meaning and relevance of message to the receiver

Agostinella & Grube found that most successful anti-drinking campaigns in USA have used celebrities. Problem drinkers less likely to deny their problem not motivated to elaborate highly. Celebrity present = peripheral cue

Conceptual distinction between CR and PR processing supported by distinction between high and low self monitoring. Snyder and de Bono found people high in self monitoring to be more persuaded by soft sell adverts and vice versa. Self monitoring people aware of image and good at picking up cues in social situations so more influenced by image or products and peripheral cues in advert

ELM does not explain how peripheral cues work a weakness in comparison with classical conditions- advertisers
Could use the self monitoring scale in focus group typical target market

Question 54

What does elaboration mean?

Answer 54

Actively engaging with a message

Question 55

Explains for the attraction of celebrity

Answer 55

Para-social relationship

Attachment theory

Question 56

Para-Social relationships AO1

Answer 56

• Encounter celebrities though films and TV
• Repeated encounters give us a strong sense of familiarity
• Media enable us to feel that we have relationships with them which are like real relationships
• Para-social relationship is one sided relationship where one individual knows a lot about the other and may feel affection for them yet the recipient of this affection may be unaware of the person’s existence.

Question 57

What is a para-social relationship?

Answer 57

Para-social relationship is one sided relationship where one individual knows a lot about the other and may feel affection for them yet the recipient of this affection may be unaware of the person’s existence.

Question 58

Evidence for para-social relationships

Answer 58

Giles distinguishes 2 types of media figure with whom we can form para-social relationships with:

1) real people like TV presenters
2) Fictional human characters e.g. in soap operas
3) Fictional non-human characters such as cartoon characters which are not visually represented by a human

Soap operas actors often criticised in public for how their character behaves- because of the fans par asocial relationships with the character

Reason for par asocial relationships is TRANSPORTATION which is getting immersed in a story bringing about strong emotions.

Question 59

Par asocial relationships AO2

Answer 59

The ending of real relationships has been found to lead to depression and is a common reason for seeking counselling:
-Meyrowitz described extreme reactions exhibited at the death of celebrities such as Elvis and John Lennon

The similarity between real and par asocial relationships therefore supports the explanation:
-Eyal and Cohen investigated whether this could be extended to ending par asocial relationships with fictional characters. Following airing of last episode of Friends 279 students completed survey assessing strength of their parasocial relationship with their favourite Friends character and the strength of their feeling about the parasocial break up. Found that amount of break up distress was best predicted by the intensity of their parasocial relationship with their favourite character.

+Supports parasocial explanation for attraction of celeb as the more intense a real relationship is the more distress the break would cause and same found here.

• However one finding contradicts par asocial explanation is that duration of par asocial relationship did not predict the extent of break up distress and has been found that longer real relationships last the more painful their loss is.
• General problem with explanation is that it does not explain why having a parasocial relationship is more of an attraction to some people than others.

Question 60

Explanation 1 for social psychological explanations of attraction to celebrities

Answer 60

Parasocial relationships

Question 61

Explanation 2 for social psychological explanations of attraction to celebrities

Answer 61

Attachment theory

Question 62

Name the 3 types of attachments

Answer 62

Type A= Insecure avoidant (fearful and withdrawing)
Type B = Secure (strong and positive)
Type C= Insecure resistant (both seeking and resisting contact)

Question 63

Attraction to celebrities: Attachment theory AO1

Answer 63

Attachments developed in infancy remain fairly stable over a lifetime because children develop an internal working model of relationships

If par asocial relationships with celebrities are similar to real relationships then just as childhood attachment style affects adulthood it should affect adults par asocial relationships with celebs.

Theory suggests that:

Type As show least celebrity attraction: their unwillingness to form parasocial relationships reflects their hesitancy to make emotional commitments in real life.

Type Bs have less fear of rejection so are less attracted by celebrity than type Cs

Type C’s often very emotional, seek intimacy but negative views about themselves. Intense attraction to celeb allows them to express they emotions without fear of rejection

Question 64

Attraction to celebrities: Attachment theory AO2

Answer 64

Compared with explanation 1 attachment theory strength is that it can explain why having a par asocial relationship is more of an attraction to some people than others

Cole and Leets: supports role of attachment in celebrity attraction 63 female and 52 male students completed:

• parasocial interaction Likert scale which included 20 items like I think my fav TV personality is like an old friend.
• A 15 item Likert scale to assess attachment style
• Hazan & Shaver’s single paragraph description for attachments ppts and to choose

Found that Type C ppts were found to be most likely to form a parasocial relationship.
Type A least likely and type B in middle

+ppts came from various ethnic background but ALL students at American Uni
-Evidence that these findings aren’t just restricted to American culture provided by Cohen. Israeli ppts completed questionnaires indicating how they would react if their fav TV character taken off air. Most negative responses from ppts who had resistant attachment supporting that such people (Type C) invest more heavily than others in parasocial relationships

Question 65

Name the evolutionary explanation for celebrity attraction

Answer 65

Gossip theory

Ornamental mind theory

Question 66

Gossip theory AO1

Answer 66

Gossip refers to exchanging info about someone who is not present

EEA lived in smaller isolated social groups- knowing what happening in group gave both reproductive and survival advantage (potential mates and threats, status and power)

Good gossipers= more likely to pass on their genes giving rise to a genetic hardwiring for gossip today

However evolution did not prepare us to distinguish between people who have genuine effects on our lives and images in the media.

Celebrities are wealthy, successful, high status and remind us of the high status individuals our ancestors gossiped about

Dunbar suggests that another function for celebrity gossip is to act like grooming in primates. Not only does grooming have health benefits it also helps to bond social groups together.

Question 67

Gossip theory AO2

Answer 67

De Backer:

• Survey of 838 ppts and in-depth interviews with 103
• Found that older people were interested in celebrity gossip because it helped them to form social networks with others and make real friends. Celebs can be like acquaintances and mutual friends

+supports Social grooming aspect of theory

De Backer:
-Also found that younger ppts shows interest in celeb gossip even if it was about older celebs. Greater interest in internationally know celebs - considered more prestigious

\+supports idea that our gossip module may be tripped as celebrities remind young people of successful high status individuals in the EEA who it would have paid to learn more about
\+ supports advantage from gossiping about powerful people

Holt and Lewis:
-argue that gossip appears to be universal and thus gossip is hardwired rather than dependent on culture

Question 68

Ornamental Mind theory AO1

Answer 68

• Humans possess a love of novelty =neophilia
• Before TV ancestors had to amuse each other and would have lead to more creative displays from potential mates
• Music, art and humour are highly valued by humans particularly during mate choice

Miller:
-argues that sexual selection might favour minds prone to inventing imaginative fantasies. Because musicians, artists and actors display these talents, we are drawn to them

FIsher’s runaway sexual selection theory:
- females will chose males to mate with based on the characteristics they find most attractive. This male trait and preference for females will be then passed on to the next generation. As a result they both become fixed in the gene pool, the increasingly attractive male trait being selected by more females attracted to it. This male trait may have no survival value and be nothing more than an accessory desirable to females.

Question 69

Ornamental mind theory AO2

Answer 69

Shiraishi et al:
-found that a genetic variant for the brain enzyme MAOA correlated with novelty seeking tendencies.
+indirectly supports ornamental mind theory: If neophilia is an evolved tendency there would have to be differences in the genes which code for the relevant brain ‘hardware’.

Importance of neophilia supported by Duck
-found that boredom is often cited as a reason for ending romantic relationships. It follows from Milleer’s ideas that creative individuals = more successful in attracting mates.
+supported by Nettle and Clegg who found that serious artists and poets had significantly more sexual partners over the course of their lives than people who were either art/ poverty ‘hobbyists’ or than those who did not produce art or poetry at all.

Holt and Lewis:
-also point out that over 2/3 of the readership of celebrity gossip magazines is female

Importance of neophilia in mate selection the fact that females tend to be the choosier sex and the greater female interest in celebrities taken together support the theory

A limitation of OM theory is that some people are attracted to celebrities with no particular talent- Kim kardashian

Question 70

Research into celebrity worship

Answer 70

Mccutcheon developed the Celebrity Attitude Scale

Some fans spend lots of money and time on fandom but function normally

For celebrity worshippers they life is completely preoccupied with celebrity and their behaviour is obsessive. These people are likely to show characteristics from the intense personal dimension of the CAS. These include behaviours such as extreme parasocial bereavement (if they die I die) and that a favourite celebrity is their soul mate.

Could also include borderline pathological aspects such as feeling compelled to learn the details of a favourite celebrities life.

Question 71

AO2 Celebrity worship

Answer 71

3 dimensional model of celebrity worship parallels the 3 dimensions of Eysencks personality theory: extraversion,neuroticism and psychoticism.

• The entertainment-social dimension of the CAS reflects some extraversion personality traits (sociable, lively, sensation seeking)
• The intense-personal dimension relates to neuroticism (anxious, emotional, moody)
• The borderline-pathological dimension relates to psychoticism (antisocial, solitary, troublesome)

Maltby et al found significant positive correlations as follows

0. 3 between extroversion and entertainment-social celebrity worship
1. 2 between neuroticism and intense personal celebrity worship
2. 2 between psychoticism and borderline- pathological celebrity worship

Ashe and McCutheon found that CAS scores correlated positively with self reported number of movies watched per week.
The scale recovered an alpha reliability and coefficient of 0.9, 0.8 and 0.7 for the ES, IP and BP (0.7 is acceptable)

+Well triangulated evidence
+Coherant valid 0.7+

Question 72

Characteristics of celebrity worshippers AO1

Answer 72

Malty suggested a link between poor mental health and celebrity worship.

McCutcheon:
-Measured cognitive ability in various ways: verbal creativity, critical thinking, spatial ability and need for cognition
-There were consistently high negative correlations between ppts scores of the CAS and on the tests measuring cognitive ability.
Lower cognitive ability=more likely to worship celebrities

Question 73

AO2 Characteristics of celebrity worshippers

Answer 73

+Measured cognitive ability in more than one way which ensures validity- open to interpretation

• Limitation is cannot infer causality as correlation don’t show cause and effect

Question 74

Absorption addiction model AO1

Answer 74

Giles:
-parasociability can be seen as a normal step on the road to developing independence and identity as adolescent seek out idols and role models from beyond their immediate social environment

However some fans have severe deficits in their sense of personal identity and problems in real life go to extremes- become embroiled in the lives of celebs. This is to:

• escape reality
• achieve fulfilment
• gain a sense of personal identity (absorption)

They learn everything they can about fav celeb and develop a feeling of closeness with him or her.
Can lead to a state of addition where individual craves ever increasing closeness to the celebrity and indulges increasingly delusional forms of thinking and behaviour.

Question 75

Absorption addiction model AO2

Answer 75

+ Practical application- may help us to better understand and treat eating disorders

Maltby et al found that when celebrity worship was associated with eating disorders the group at risk comprised some female adolescents. Those who don’t discuss the celebrity with their friends but who instead have an intense personal relationship with their celebrity.

Question 76

Celebrity stalking AO1

Answer 76

Celebrity stalking is an even more extreme aspect of intense fandom

The British Crime Survey define stalking as ‘a course of conduct involving two or more events of harassment causing fear alarm or distress’

Celebrity stalking can include:

• physically following the celebrity: Giles gives an example of a fan who sat on the steps of a recording studio for 110 days in the hope of meeting her idol.
• sending unwanted letters and phonically
• ‘cyberstalking’ sending unwanted texts or emails
• physical violence, even homicide as in the case of Mark Chapman who shot and killed John Lennon

Question 77

Research into celebrity stalking

Answer 77

Mccutcheon et al asked 299 student to complete a parental bonding scale which asked ppts to
-recall early relationships with parents
-celebrity stalking scale
Pppts had to rank on a scale how appropriate the behaviours were.

Found ppts who were insecurely attached were more likely to think that celebrity stalking was acceptable (type A+C)

Roberts:
200 students reported on a) actual attempts they had made to contact celebs and b) tendencies towards avoidance and anxiety
-FOund a positive correlation between attachment related anxiety and the frequency of self-reported approach behaviour towards a celebrity
-Negative correlation between attachment related avoidance and the frequency of self-reported approach behaviour towards a celebrity

Other search:
Found stalking after relationship breakdown shows that stalkers are more likely than non-stalkers to have preoccupied attachment (adult equivalent of Type C)

Question 78

Celebrity stalking AO2

Answer 78

McCutcheon:
-Questionnaire ppts may be unable t accurately recall relationships with parents (decay and social desirability)
-Retrospective= cant establish cause and effect
-Did no differentiate between A and C (type C more likely)
+Large sample size

Roberts:
-Social desirability-may have been embarrassed to report instances

Other research:
Both studies show that attachment type can influence stalking
-Unlikely that these stalker symptoms could be affected by the third variable of personality

Methodological evaluation

• Nature of topic questionnaires generally used but LIkert scale may not give true picture of ppts feelings about celebrities + use previous research of attachments strange situation H+S = concurrent validity
• Social desirability- people might not answer truthfully therefore not real measure of attitudes +anonymity and confidentiality would help this.
• Use of non-experimental methods leads to problems in drawing causal conclusions issues that celebrity causes adults to respond like Type C but might be due to personality factors or poor family communication
• Evolutionary explanations cant be tested

Ethical issues:
-Protection of particpants- may be distressed or embarrassed upon realisation as sensitive topic. Issue of confidentiality
+offer support counselling debrief
-Issue of confidentiality- keep longitudinal if published will be anonymous