The Islamic Psychology Study Group (KKPI) of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an online webinar entitled Discover the Truth about Celebrity Worship: Insights from Psychologist and Influencer, on Friday (28/6). The webinar, which is part of the Islamic Psychology Summit 2024, aims to provide in-depth insights into human behavior, social influence, and the significant impact of media on individual values and society.
Chairperson of the Islamic Psychology Summit (IPS) committee, Indrayanti, M.Si., Ph.D., Psychologist, explained the series of events in IPS 2024, “The event towards the Islamic Psychology Summit 2024 will begin with an online webinar every month, discussing specifically about contemporary issues, for example like today which discusses in detail about celebrity worship. In addition, there are also calls for paper activities, pre-conference workshops, and then closed with a peak event that presents 15 expert speakers on Islamic psychology from around the world.”
Fuadh Naim, S.I.Kom, the first speaker who is also a content creator and founder of XKwavers explained why teenagers can become K-pop fans, “The majority of Korean artists have multi-talents that have been formed by entertainment agencies. They can sing and are also good-looking, smart, good at playing musical instruments, and various other advantages. This has resulted in Korean artists being seen as perfect by K-pop fans, K-popers are willing to fight anyone who dares to make fun of their idols”.
Fuad conveyed three factors that can make a person experience celebrity worship, “The first is of course a cool product, the second is an injury that eventually makes the individual look for fun entertainment, the third is the most influential, namely having no life value. As a result, someone who experiences celebrity worship can potentially absorb values contrary to existing norms”.
The second speaker who is a professor of social psychology at the Faculty of Psychology, Prof. Drs. Koentjoro, M.BSc., Ph.D., Psychologist, advised, “When having an idol, try to choose one that is by religious law, exemplify the spirit of your idol instead of copying his lifestyle. In order not to be easily carried away, then make a directed life plan and study with full seriousness. Imagine the tears of your parents because of your achievements, not because of your negative behavior that hurts their hearts.”
Author: Relung Fajar Sukmawati
Photo by John Price on Unsplash