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The study examines the phenomenon of adolescents' idolization of pop singers. Male and female adolescents from three age groups (ages 10-11, 13-14, and 16-17) were compared with regard to the intensity of idolization, its behavioral manifestations, causes for selecting the idol, and reliance for knowledge on the idol. The results of self-reports indicated that the phenomenon of idolization, expressed especially in worshipping and modeling, is strongest in the youngest age group and decreases in intensity with age. Also, it was found that girls idolize singers more than boys. The youngest age group, especially girls, rely on singers with regard to knowledge concerning personal matters. These findings were explained within the frameworks of gender differences, adolescence characteristics, and youth culture development.
INTRODUCTION
The phenomenon of idolization is especially characteristic of early adolescence. The objects of idolization come from various domains of life such as sport, entertainment, music, politics, and religion. Thus, sport champions, movie actors/actresses, television personalities, pop stars, and political or religious leaders can all become idolized figures.
In most westernized youth cultures, the idolized figures come from sport, entertainment, and music. These domains and the celebrities who excel in them receive wide exposure in the mass media and are further accessible via films, television, video, sports events, and concerts. We also know that children from a very early age are exposed to these media and events, and are able not only to relate to them, but also cognize and enjoy them (Fine et al., 1990; Schultze et al., 1991). The present study focuses on the idolization of music stars by adolescents, and examines the reported causes for choosing an idolized object, the expressions of idolization, and the reliance on idolized singers.
It is proposed that idolization of pop singers, in excess of the consumption of music and collection of basic information about it, which also reflect a normal appreciation of music, is based mostly on two important components: worship and modeling. Worship refers to an unusually intense admiration and reverence of an idol. This can be expressed in such behaviors as actively collecting information and artifacts related to the idol or trying to meet him/her personally. Modeling refers to the desire to be like an idol, which may involve imitation of the idolized...