If you attended a Beyonce concert this summer, you would have been surrounded by many of her super fans. The Beyhive, as they’re affectionately known, is a force, a community that will defend and support their queen passionately. They will travel thousands of miles to see her perform and aggressively defend her on social media. What creates such a deeply personal connection between an individual and a celebrity, sports or technology? What drives a person to defend something or someone they barely know so feverishly? Let’s discuss the psychology of the super fan.
Why do people become superfans?
If you ever meet a true Montreal Canadiens fan, a Raptors fan, a Nicki Minaj fan, or an iPhone die-hard, you know what a super fan is. According to psychologist Dr. Alexandra Gold, people often become superfans because there is something about the entity that connects back to their own identity in some way.
Isn’t it interesting how a public figure may be someone we perceive as relatable to us in some way? That relatability helps us form a stronger socio-emotional bond with them because we feel like we “know” them. Someone like Barack Obama has worldwide admiration because he inspires us. People become superfans of sports based on a host of things. It could be a generational connection, might have been a hometown/city loyalty, or part of someone’s life story or childhood memories. Lastly, people often become super fans because of the sense of community that develops around fandoms. In many cases, forming relationships with other fans allows for friendship, connection, and feelings of belongingness around a shared interest.
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When is super-fandom a problem?
In Dr. Gold’s analysis of the psychology of the super fan, there are certain questions to look at. Does your involvement in a fandom get in the way of you investing in other valued aspects of your life? Think of things like important relationships, interests, or responsibilities. This could be a sign to limit time spent in the fandom. You need to start being intentional about dedicating time to other valued areas of your life. Has your participation in a fandom started to contribute to negative emotions such as anxiety or stress? This could also be a sign to take a step back from the fandom and turn your attention to activities that contribute to positive emotions.
Lastly, if you start to believe you are having a reciprocal relationship with your favourite star, especially if this is not actually occurring, perhaps it’s time to pause and reflect. In situations like this, it can be helpful to seek guidance from a mental health professional. For more support, talk to a trusted individual who can help you establish care with a mental health professional. It’s great to celebrate those that amaze us with their talents but only if we do so in a healthy, fun way.
Feature image by Nicholas Green
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