In this episode of School of Pop, we’re diving into the psychology behind competitive fans. From chart battles and fandom feuds to internal hierarchies and stan wars, we're looking to understand: Why do fans get so emotionally invested in wins and losses that don’t directly affect them? Why is sports fandom celebrated while pop fandom is mocked? And what happens when fan spaces become less about community and more about proving you're the best?
Dr. Courtney Plante, a social psychologist and professor at Bishop’s University, joins the class to break it all down. With over a decade of research on media and fan culture, including fandoms like My Little Pony, anime, and furries, Dr. Plante helps us explore what makes competition in fandoms so common, and what it says about how we connect today.
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