Are celebrities accountable for the misconduct of their fans?
通过四项研究，探讨粉丝与偶像关系强度如何影响公众对偶像责任的看法及抵制意愿，发现权力距离信念和社会规范水平在其中起调节作用。
Abstract This study examines whether fan–celebrity relationship strength affects public opinion regarding whether a celebrity should take responsibility for the misconduct of their fans and the intention to boycott a celebrity. This study involves three studies. Study 1 examines the mediation effects of internal attribution on the relationship between fan–celebrity relationship strength and boycott intention. Study 2 examines the effects of fan–celebrity relationship strength and power distance belief on internal attributions of inappropriate fan behavior. Study 3 investigates whether the social norm level affects the interaction effects between relationship strength and power distance belief. Study 1 indicates that the boycott intention is higher when the participants perceive the fan–celebrity relationship to be stronger. Study 2 indicates that power distance belief moderates the effect of relationship strength on the extent of generated internal attribution and thus influences boycott intention. Study 3 indicates that the interaction between relationship strength and power distance belief affects internal attribution only at a high social norm level. The results of Study 4 support the applicability of the findings of Study 3 in a real‐world setting.