Influence of Fame on Behavior | Understanding Psychology Concepts

Psychology 101: Exploring Mind and Behavior with Owen Hawthorne

Dive into the fascinating world of psychology with our podcast that mirrors a first-year college course. From classic psychological theories to the latest research findings, we cover a range of psychology topics. Whether you're interested in intro to psychology or want to expand your knowledge of psychological concepts, this podcast offers valuable insights into the human mind. Join us as we explore the essentials of psychology education and discover how these principles apply to real-life situations. Perfect for students, educators, and anyone curious about the mind and behavior.

How Fame Changes the Way People Act

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about how becoming famous really impacts the way someone behaves. It's not just about having a ton of followers or being recognized all the time—it actually changes your psychology on a pretty deep level. As a psychology professor, I find this topic fascinating because it ties directly into some core psychological concepts about identity, social influence, and behavior.

So, imagine you’re an ordinary person, living your life, and then suddenly you hit the jackpot of fame—maybe through a viral video, a breakout role in a movie, or a chart-topping song. Your world turns upside down. Now, everyone’s watching, judging, and reacting to every little thing you do. What do you think happens to that person’s behavior? Well, research and real-world examples say it can go in multiple directions.

One of the main psychological theories that can help explain this is called the “Looking Glass Self,” a concept in intro to psychology that basically says we shape our self-image based on how we think others see us. When you're famous, this idea gets dialed up to the max. Every comment, tweet, or paparazzi photo feeds back into your self-perception and influences how you behave next.

Because fame puts you under a social microscope, you often start to modify your behavior, sometimes consciously and other times without even realizing it. Celebrities might act more extroverted, more confident, or even more dramatic because that’s what keeps the spotlight on them. And speaking of social influence, there’s also something called the “social facilitation” effect, where being observed by others can actually enhance or impair performance depending on the task and the person’s comfort level.

But it isn’t always positive. Fame can also lead to what's called “self-serving bias,” where people begin to credit their successes more to their own talents and downplay outside influences, while blaming failures on external factors. This can skew empathy and relationships over time. Plus, the pressure to keep that famous image sometimes leads to stress, anxiety, and even impulsive or risky behaviors.

We've all heard stories of celebrities who seemed to change their personalities once they became famous—some become more generous and giving, while others might isolate themselves or develop problematic habits. Psychologists have some theories about this, too. One major factor is social comparison. When you’re constantly comparing yourself to other famous people or an idealized image of yourself, it can mess with your self-esteem and lead to erratic or defensive behavior as a way to protect the ego.

It’s also interesting to consider the difference between “intrinsic” motivation (doing something because you love it) versus “extrinsic” motivation (doing it for rewards, like fame or money). When fame becomes the extrinsic motivator, it can sometimes drain the original passion out of an activity. That’s a somewhat subtle but important change in behavior psychologists study in intro to psychology courses focused on motivation.

Speaking of courses, if any of this sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend checking out The Intro to Psychology Course, by Dr. Bo Bennett, on the Virversity.com platform. It’s a fantastic way to get a solid foundation in understanding human behavior—including topics like social influence, motivation, and self-perception that really come into play with fame. Truly, psychology education opens your eyes to why people act the way they do, both in everyday life and in extraordinary situations like sudden fame.

So here’s a quick breakdown of what fame can typically do to behavior:

• Increased self-consciousness: With everyone watching, people become more aware of their actions and often modify their behavior to fit expectations.
• Heightened social comparison: Constantly comparing themselves to peers or public personas can lead to insecurity or competitive behavior.
• Changes in motivation: Shifting from doing things for personal fulfillment to doing them for public approval often reshapes priorities.
• Potential for impulsive actions: Pressure and constant attention can sometimes lead to riskier choices or stress-related behaviors.
• Altered interpersonal relationships: Trust becomes tricky, and friendships may become more superficial or transactional.

And remember, everyone reacts differently to fame based on their personality, background, and support system. Fame doesn’t have to be a curse—it can inspire positive change, philanthropy, and leadership if people stay grounded.

What’s cool is that learning about these psychological topics isn’t just academic. It really helps us recognize these patterns in everyday life, whether it’s a famous person we follow, a coworker suddenly promoted, or even ourselves in social situations. The Intro to Psychology Course is a great way to get these insights, and it’s designed so that anyone, even if you’re not a psychology major, can understand why humans behave the way they do in all sorts of social contexts.

So, if you’re curious about the psychology behind fame and want to better understand not just celebrities but people in your own life, I encourage you to Enroll Now to Understand Human Behavior through Dr. Bo Bennett’s engaging and accessible course. It’s like having a backstage pass to the human mind.

Thanks for listening, and next time, we’ll explore another compelling psychology topic that affects us all.

Take A Major Step In Understanding Human Behavior Enroll Now To Gain Invaluable Psychological Insights For Your Personal and Professional Life. link Start Learning