The villain as reference idol: selection frequencies and salient attributes among New Zealand teenagers.
Teenagers from all 11 high schools in Dunedin, New Zealand, responded to a questionnaire about their villains (i.e., public figures, real or fictional, living or deceased, whom they strongly disliked). A total of 917 villains from all walks of life were selected. The naming of a villain was unrelated to age, gender, or socioeconomic status. Nearly nine times more male than female public figures were selected as villains. Approximately 70% of the villains were either politicians, criminals, or athletes. In general, males disliked their villains because of negative personality traits, while females disliked their villains for "crimes committed against humanity." Not only were villains disliked, but findings regarding level of influence revealed that many students used their villains as avoidance role models to mold and shape attitudes, values, and behaviors. An interesting finding, given the fact that these villains have no sanctioning power, was how much influence these socially distant public others have.
Melnick
M J
MJ
School of Physical Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Jackson
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D005197:Famous Persons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D012380:Role; D012919:Social Behavior; D012933:Social Identification