Fame and the social self: The need to belong, narcissism, and relatedness predict the appeal of fame

The present online survey study (Amazon’s MTurk; n = 371) investigated links between three different social self-concepts (the need to belong, narcissism, and relatedness) and the appeal of fame. We examined fame attitudes using a newly-devised fame appeal scale (yielding three factors: Visibility, Status and Prosocial), as well as with two items probing frequency of fame fantasizing and perceived realism of becoming famous. Results show that higher belongingness needs were associated with increased appeal of all three fame factors, as well as increased frequency of fantasizing about fame (accounting for age and gender). Narcissism was associated with increased appeal of Visibility and Status, more time spent engaged in fame fantasy, and greater perceived realism of future fame. Finally, Relatedness predicted increased appeal of the Prosocial fame factor only. Findings illuminate the socioemotional underpinnings of fame appeal and the individual differences that may render certain aspects of fame particularly alluring.

• We examined how social self-concept predicts the appeal of fame.
• Our new fame appeal measure captured: Visibility, Status, and Prosocial motivations.
• Need to belong predicted all aspects of fame appeal and increased fame fantasizing.
• Narcissism predicted Status and Visibility, fame fantasizing and fame realism.
• Relatedness predicted Prosocial appeal only.