Study Finds Link Between Celebrity Obsession and Cognitive Performance
An study conducted with over a thousand participants highlights an association between high levels of obsession with celebrities and lower scores on cognitive tests. However, it remains difficult to determine whether this fascination with cultural icons is a cause or a consequence of these reduced skills.
Almost twenty years of research have produced mixed results on the relationship between celebrity worship and cognitive skills. Some studies suggest that cognitive performance tends to decrease with higher levels of celebrity worship. On the other hand, other studies have found no association between these constructs.
In a new study published in BMC Psychology, a team sought to expand on previous work on this association. To do so, they applied Cattell’s theory of intelligence to a sample of Hungarian adults.
A Clear Association
For this study, researchers recruited 1,763 people (about two-thirds men, one-third women) for an online survey. All participants completed two subtests of intelligence designed to measure vocabulary skills (vocabulary test) and numerical symbol skills (short number and symbol test). Participants also answered questions to place themselves on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Attitude towards Celebrities Scale to determine their level of obsession with celebrities.
Researchers identified three levels of obsession. The “social-entertainment” level involved those whose interest in stars was limited to discussing their lives with friends. The second level, “intense-personal,” involved compulsive reflection on celebrities, while the third level, “pathological limit,” involved people who would do anything their favorite celebrities asked of them.
Data on subjective material wealth, current family income, and general sociodemographic data were also collected.
After analyzing the results, there appears to be a direct association between celebrity worship and poorer performance on cognitive tests that cannot be explained by demographic and socioeconomic factors.
However, it remains challenging to explain it precisely. The authors suggest that the obsession with celebrities could hinder cognitive abilities due to the intense level of focus and attention required to maintain this “one-sided emotional connection.” Additionally, individuals with higher levels of intelligence may be less likely to idolize celebrities due to a greater ability to recognize the marketing strategies aimed at glorifying these figures.
