The Science of Fandom

Media

Why Minecraft Movie Fans Are Getting Rowdy and Going Viral

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on April 10, 2025

Fans are going viral for their unrestrained and sometimes disruptive response to "A Minecraft Movie" in theaters. Here's what's behind their passion (and all that popcorn).

Fans are going viral for their unrestrained and sometimes disruptive response to "A Minecraft Movie" in theaters. Here's what's behind their passion (and all that popcorn).

Parasocial Relationships

Taylor and Who?! Celebrity Fan Fiction as an Ethical Dilemma

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on March 7, 2025

Fan fiction is fun as leisure, but fan fiction about real people (RPF) is controversial. New research finds that ethical debates about RPF can benefit fans' moral development.

Fan fiction is fun as leisure, but fan fiction about real people (RPF) is controversial. New research finds that ethical debates about RPF can benefit fans' moral development.

Social Media

Is Social Media Making Us Grumpy?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on January 24, 2025

Social media can provide a sense of belongingness and community—but new research shows it can also make us irritable. Here's how to avoid getting cranky while you scroll.

Social media can provide a sense of belongingness and community—but new research shows it can also make us irritable. Here's how to avoid getting cranky while you scroll.

Grief

How Fans Can Cope With Loss

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on October 19, 2024

Fans of One Direction are grieving the loss of Liam Payne. Parasocial loss can be confusing, but staying connected with other fans, creating rituals and indulging in nostalgia help

Fans of One Direction are grieving the loss of Liam Payne. Parasocial loss can be confusing, but staying connected with other fans, creating rituals and indulging in nostalgia help

Parasocial Relationships

Fans and Celebrities: Where Should the Boundary Be?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on September 15, 2024

Social media has changed the way fans interact with celebrities, so some stars are setting new boundaries in their parasocial relationships to preserve their mental health.

Social media has changed the way fans interact with celebrities, so some stars are setting new boundaries in their parasocial relationships to preserve their mental health.

Social Media

There’s Always a Debate About the Internet: Good or Bad?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on July 10, 2024

New research finds that being on the Internet is associated with greater well-being. That's especially true if we're thoughtful about when and how we interact online.

New research finds that being on the Internet is associated with greater well-being. That's especially true if we're thoughtful about when and how we interact online.

Memes

How Memes Help Us Cope

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on March 31, 2024

Internet memes offer commentary on everything from Kate Middleton to the Dune popcorn bucket—and their humor helps us cope with stress, anxiety, and disappointment.

Internet memes offer commentary on everything from Kate Middleton to the Dune popcorn bucket—and their humor helps us cope with stress, anxiety, and disappointment.

Media

Save Our Show! Why Fans Fight Back When Shows Are Cancelled

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

From Sherlock Holmes to "Our Flag Means Death," fans don’t take cancellations lying down. That's because fandom has real benefits—and protest may be a healthy response.

From Sherlock Holmes to "Our Flag Means Death," fans don’t take cancellations lying down. That's because fandom has real benefits—and protest may be a healthy response.

Media

Memorable Fandom Moments of 2023

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on January 3, 2024

Fans had a powerful impact on pop culture in 2023, from the popularity of Taylor Swift to the viral memes of Barbenheimer to old favorites like "Star Wars." Here's why.

Fans had a powerful impact on pop culture in 2023, from the popularity of Taylor Swift to the viral memes of Barbenheimer to old favorites like "Star Wars." Here's why.

Grief

'Friends' Fans Are Mourning the Loss of Matthew Perry

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on October 31, 2023

"Friends" fans may be surprised by how affected they are by the loss of Matthew Perry. But there's a reason the show and the character are important to many of us.

"Friends" fans may be surprised by how affected they are by the loss of Matthew Perry. But there's a reason the show and the character are important to many of us.

Media

Rooting for Two Characters to “Just Get Together Already”?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on September 19, 2023

If you've ever found yourself yelling at the TV, "Come on, just kiss already," you might be a "shipper." Why are fans so emotionally invested in their favorite couples?

If you've ever found yourself yelling at the TV, "Come on, just kiss already," you might be a "shipper." Why are fans so emotionally invested in their favorite couples?

Media

Why Are More Fans Throwing Objects at Performers Onstage?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on August 1, 2023

Incidents of fans throwing objects at performers are increasing. Some fans just want to be seen and acknowledged by their idols, but others may have darker motives.

Incidents of fans throwing objects at performers are increasing. Some fans just want to be seen and acknowledged by their idols, but others may have darker motives.

Media

The Guilty Pleasure of Soap Operas

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on May 23, 2023

Soap operas have been criticized as unrealistic, but the familiar characters can be an emotional anchor to keep viewers company or provide some welcome escape.

Soap operas have been criticized as unrealistic, but the familiar characters can be an emotional anchor to keep viewers company or provide some welcome escape.

Social Media

Can Social Media and Online Communities Be Good for Us?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on March 28, 2023

Social support and connection are good for us. Can we find that sense of belongingness we crave online as well as in person?

Social support and connection are good for us. Can we find that sense of belongingness we crave online as well as in person?

Identity

Why Football Fans Get So Emotional

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on February 10, 2023

What kind of Super Bowl Fan are you? Rooting for your favorite team can be healthy and beneficial in many ways—or dysfunctional.

What kind of Super Bowl Fan are you? Rooting for your favorite team can be healthy and beneficial in many ways—or dysfunctional.

Media

Why Do We Root for the Anti-Hero?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

Find yourself rooting for the anti-hero of the story? Research shows there may be some good reasons for that.

Find yourself rooting for the anti-hero of the story? Research shows there may be some good reasons for that.

Media

Why Does Watching Dystopian Shows Feel So Good?

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on October 1, 2022

There’s a “sweet spot” of media that’s just scary or disturbing enough but not overwhelming, with an underlying message of hope and resilience that can be inspiring.

There’s a “sweet spot” of media that’s just scary or disturbing enough but not overwhelming, with an underlying message of hope and resilience that can be inspiring.

Media

How Fandom Turns Toxic

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on July 16, 2022

Fandom can sometimes feel like a minefield instead of a safe space to belong. What's driving the toxicity and how you can avoid it.

Fandom can sometimes feel like a minefield instead of a safe space to belong. What's driving the toxicity and how you can avoid it.

Identity

You’re Never Too Old to Be a Fan

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on May 17, 2022

Is being a fan something we need to "grow out of?" On the contrary, research shows that fandom can be a touchstone for identity, continuity, and community as we age.

Is being a fan something we need to "grow out of?" On the contrary, research shows that fandom can be a touchstone for identity, continuity, and community as we age.

Media

How Social Media Can Help or Harm in Times of Disaster

Lynn Zubernis Ph.D. on March 3, 2022

Constant exposure to disturbing images on social media can increase anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The creative use of memes and TikToks can be a way to cope.

Constant exposure to disturbing images on social media can increase anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms. The creative use of memes and TikToks can be a way to cope.