Media Flashcards
1
Q
What is the clearest example of Anti social behaviour?
A
Aggression
2
Q
What does ASB stand for?
A
Antisocial behaviour
3
Q
Who claimed aggression is learnt?
A
Bandura
4
Q
What two ways does Bandura claim aggression is learnt by?
A
By direct experience (agreed with Skinner, rewards)
By observing people (goes beyond skinner, role model)
5
Q
Key elements for SLT of aggression from media
A
Attention
Retention
Motivation
6
Q
How does SLT help explain media influences on ASB
A
Attention- observer pays attention to model
Retention- observer retains a memory of the observed behaviour
Motivation- Observer wants to copy behaviour
7
Q
Example of Attention
A
Observer paying attention to violent characters
Films encourage this with exciting music and special effects
8
Q
Example of Retention
A
Observer retains a memory of the observed behaviour
Memorable characters played by well known actors and engaging storylines make this more likely
9
Q
Examples of Motivation
A
Observer wants to copy behaviour
10
Q
What increases chances of motivation?
A
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
11
Q
What is Vicarious reinforcement?
A
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.
12
Q
What is vicarious punishment?
A
Vicarious Punishment is when the observer sees the role model receiving punishment and is put off copying the behaviour due to the punishment.
13
Q
Study by Bandura about children’s response to TV violence
A
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
14
Q
Results from Bandura’s study about children’s responses to TV violence
A
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
15
Q
Conclusion of Bandura’s study about children’s responses to TV violence
A
The administration of punishment reduces whether or not children imitate aggressive behaviours but it does not influence the degree to which they learn them
16
Q
Evaluation of SLT explanation of media influences on ASB
using Bandura
A
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.
17
Q
more Evaluation of SLT of media influences on ASB
A
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.
18
Q
Support for vicarious reinforcement:
A
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.
19
Q
Methodological evaluation for Bandura
A
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.
20
Q
Desensitisation explanation of media influences on ASB
A
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.
21
Q
Evaluation of desensitisation explanation of media influences on ASB
A
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 .
22
Q
Methodological evaluation of Grafman
A
High control using MRI scans to measure
Wouldn’t watch that many clips consecutively, would have breaks
Only used boys
23
Q
Evaluation SLT considering Desensitisation
A
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
24
Q
Evaluate one explanation of media influences on anti-social behvaiour
A
- 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
25
Define Pro social behaviour
An act that benefits others but which may appear to have no direct benefit for the person performing it
26
Summary of Mares meta analysis
Positive interaction
Altruism- sharing, offering help
Self-control- resistance to temptation
27
What is content analysis ?
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
28
Description of SLT explanation of media influences on PSB
Attention- bright colours, music upbeat
Retention- simple relatable storylines and characters
Motivation- relatable characters
Vicarious Punishment- naughty characters punished
Vicarious Reinforcement- Good characters rewarded
29
Evaluation of SLT explanation of media influences on PSB
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
30
How does Sprafkin's study support SLT and PSB?
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
31
Ostrov support for PSB
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
32
Methodological evaluation of Ostrov (SLT +PSB)
Social desirability of parents not accurate measure of DV
| Longitudinal ppts could drop out
33
Negative effects of video games on behaviour
Violent games may cause aggressive behaviour
| Video games may damage social relationships
34
Anderson & Dill first study into effect of aggressive behaviour
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
35
Anderson & Dill 2nd study
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.
36
Weber et al
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
37
Evaluation of research into the effect of aggressive behaviour referring to video games
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.
38
Description of research into the damaging effect on social realtionships
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
39
Positive effects of games
Relaxing an pro-social games may cause pro-social behaviour
| Active games like Wii Sports may encourage physical activity
40
Research evidence for effect on pro social behaviour Whitaker and Bushman
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
41
Research evidence for effect on pro social behaviour Gentile
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
```
42
Research evidence for effect on physical activity
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.
43
Models explaining the persuasive effects of media
Holland-Yale model
| Elaboration likelihood model
44
3 components of attitudes with persuasion
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
45
Holland-Yale model
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
46
Hovland-Yale Model: Name the factors that persuasiveness is affected by
- Source: who is doing the persuading
- Message: the content of what is said. This can take different forms
- Audience: The person(s) being persuaded
47
Hovland-Yale Model: Process of being persuaded
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
48
Describe the Hovland-Yale model
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.
49
Hovland Yale model as an explanation for effectiveness of TV advertising
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.
50
Elaboration Likelihood model AO1
- 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
51
What does Elaboration likelihood mean?
How likely it is that a person will engage in such a careful thought
52
What is need for cognition?
How much you think about something before making your judgement
53
Elaboration Likelihood model AO2
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
54
What does elaboration mean?
Actively engaging with a message
55
Explains for the attraction of celebrity
Para-social relationship
| Attachment theory
56
Para-Social relationships AO1
- 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.
57
What is a para-social relationship?
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.
58
Evidence for para-social relationships
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.
59
Par asocial relationships AO2
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.
60
Explanation 1 for social psychological explanations of attraction to celebrities
Parasocial relationships
61
Explanation 2 for social psychological explanations of attraction to celebrities
Attachment theory
62
Name the 3 types of attachments
Type A= Insecure avoidant (fearful and withdrawing)
Type B = Secure (strong and positive)
Type C= Insecure resistant (both seeking and resisting contact)
63
Attraction to celebrities: Attachment theory AO1
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
64
Attraction to celebrities: Attachment theory AO2
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
65
Name the evolutionary explanation for celebrity attraction
Gossip theory
| Ornamental mind theory
66
Gossip theory AO1
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.
67
Gossip theory AO2
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
68
Ornamental Mind theory AO1
- 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.
69
Ornamental mind theory AO2
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
70
Research into celebrity worship
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.
71
AO2 Celebrity worship
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
0. 2 between neuroticism and intense personal celebrity worship
0. 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+
72
Characteristics of celebrity worshippers AO1
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
73
AO2 Characteristics of celebrity worshippers
+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
74
Absorption addiction model AO1
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.
75
Absorption addiction model AO2
+ 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.
76
Celebrity stalking AO1
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
77
Research into celebrity stalking
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)
78
Celebrity stalking AO2
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
