Study Links Celebrity Worship to Lower Cognitive Abilities in 1,763 Adults

A recent study involving 1,763 Hungarian adults has found a direct association between higher levels of celebrity worship and poorer performance on cognitive ability tests. The findings, which suggest a nuanced relationship between fascination with public figures and intellectual capacity, were highlighted by Nicholas Fabiano, MD, who stated in a social media post, "> Worshipping a celebrity is associated with lower cognitive abilities."

Published in BMC Psychology in November 2021, the research utilized a "Celebrity Attitude Scale" questionnaire to gauge participants' interest in celebrities. Subsequently, participants underwent two cognitive ability tests, one measuring crystallized intelligence through a vocabulary test and another assessing fluid intelligence via a digit symbol substitution test. The study controlled for various demographic and socioeconomic factors, including education, age, and material wealth.

The researchers observed that individuals scoring higher on the celebrity attitude scale consistently performed worse on both cognitive assessments. While the study established a clear correlation, it did not definitively conclude whether celebrity obsession causes a decline in cognitive abilities or if individuals with lower cognitive skills are more inclined to celebrity worship. This question of causality remains a key area for future investigation.

Several theories have been proposed to explain the observed link. One hypothesis suggests that individuals with higher cognitive abilities may be more adept at recognizing the marketing strategies behind famous personalities, thus making them less susceptible to intense celebrity admiration. Another perspective posits that the significant cognitive effort invested in maintaining an absorption with a favorite celebrity could potentially interfere with performance on tasks requiring attention and other cognitive skills. The study's authors emphasized the need for further research to explore these potential mechanisms.