The Relationship between Peer Influence and Teenagers’ Celebrity Worship Phenomenon

Abstract

Celebrity worship phenomenon is increasingly prevalent among Chinese Adolescents, and it has impact on adolescents behaviourally and psychologically. This paper aims to clarify the role that peers play in the popularity of the celebrity worship phenomenon among teenager through discussing about the relationship between peer influence and teenagers’ involving in celebrity worship in four aspects: teenagers’ need for interpersonal relationships with peers, observational learning from peers, peer pressure and conformity, and accessibility of the Internet and the effect of media hype. By investigating the reasons behind, it helps us to better understand what teenagers are experiencing in peer fan groups, it can also be illuminating and meaningful to teachers and parents in adolescent education. This paper also gives possible suggestions to avoid negative effects of the teenagers’ celebrity worship.