Celebrities we see and become psychologically attached to are simply known for being known, and nothing more. Celebrities dating other celebrities often engage like celebrity footballers with highly attractive models and exquisite homes in various countries, for simply kicking a ball around a pitch or simply being a sports commentator. You and your friends may be the celebrity worshippers, however this is what we psychologists call "parasocial interaction" which means that while we know so much about their lives, they know probably nothing about yours. Whereas it is certainly true that some individuals decide to pursue acting or singing careers for the pure love of the artistic forms in question, the great majority of celebrity wannabes are largely driven by the outcomes (e.g., fame, money, adulation). The extraordinary attention that is lavished on celebrities (not to mention the outlandish sums of money) makes it easy to succumb to one's hype. Many of these celebs in the Big Brother House and those in the Australian Jungle, may feel a sense of guilt about their actual celebrity role in these well-known annual shows of reality television.
However, those who produce reality TV shows like "I'm a Celebrity" have to deal with the rights and regulations of the contestants who volunteer to go out to the jungle. Producers have to get the mix right between exposing well-known Celebrities to oppression, isolation, food deprivation, fear and much more. Questions are raised year after year about the ethics of permitting the campmates to engage in high risk behaviour, even though rigorous risk assessments are carried out and double checked daily. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 5) states that "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". There is the issue of facilitating and making mandatory, campmates who have fears of spiders, snakes, crocodiles and rats to engage in the Bushtucker trials to win meals for their team. We have to admire the producers on the other hand for providing you the audience with light entertainment and balancing the risks of exposure within the permitted regulations. The structure of reward and punishment is common to all reality TV shows but we must not lose sight that it is a game-show at the end of the day. Participants in the jungle ought never to be made feel physiologically or psychologically worse as a result of their engagement with the Bushhtucker trials and general living arrangements. If we form the wrong relationship with certain campmates, we think of the separation from family and friends and the audience reaction. All participants following assessment will have read and signed their agreed contracts but also an informed consent form. They must know all risks they will knowingly and willingly undertake and also on completion of the show be fully debriefed and returned to the same state of physiological and psychological health.
Celebrities we see and become psychologically attached to are simply known for being known, and nothing more. Celebrities dating other celebrities often engage like celebrity footballers with highly attractive models and exquisite homes in various countries, for simply kicking a ball around a pitch or simply being a sports commentator. Fame also can lead to chronic self-consciousness and self-destructive behaviour in many well-known and famous celebrities. You and your friends may be the celebrity worshippers, however this is what we psychologists call "parasocial interaction" which means that while we know so much about their lives, they know probably nothing about yours.
Producers have to get a good balance between exposing well-known Celebrities to oppression, isolation, food deprivation, fear and much more.
Read more interesting articles from celebrity psychologist Dr Arthur Cassidy – social media psychologist on his site: www.drarthurcassidy.com.
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