Table of Contents
Background:
Psychological research on fans has been almost entirely focused on sport fans, with a few studies on celebrity worship being the exception (Maltby, Day, McCutcheon, Houran, & Ashe, 2006). Yet, any individual who is an enthusiastic, ardent, and loyal admirer of an interest can be reasonably considered a ‘fan.’ Accordingly, the term fan can be used to describe individuals who are devoted to a myriad of interests, not only sport teams and celebrities. Due to the specific wording of past sport fan identity measures (Fisher & Wakefield, 1998; Heere, 2005; Wann, 2002; Wann & Branscombe, 1993), a new measure of fanship that is broad enough to measure identification with any interest was constructed; the Fanship Scale ;;
Psychometrics:
The Fanship Scale was once again internally consistent and, as expected, moderately correlated with the Sport Spectator Identification Scale (SSIS) ([alpha] = .81). This lends convergent validity, as both assess degree of identification with a sport team. Divergent validity was shown with a non-significant correlation with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability (MCSD scale). Also, marginally significant positive correlations were found for how many hours a month they participated in their fan interest (r = .21, p = .066), and the number of friends they have that also like their fan interest (r =. 19,p = .088). Additionally, the Fanship Scale was significantly negatively related to the close personal distance measure (r = -.24, p = .035). In effect, greater fanship was related to more fan behavior, and a greater desire to keep non-fans at a distance from one’s life. The results provide initial criterion validity for the Fanship Scale evidenced by the correlations with real life behaviors.
Author of Tool:
Reysen, Stephen
Key references:
Reysen, S., & Branscombe, N. R. (2010). Fanship and fandom: Comparisons between sport fans and non-sport fans. Journal of Sport Behavior, 33, 176-193.
Primary use / Purpose:
This scale is a unidimensional 11-item scale to measure degree of identification with a fan interest.
Fanship Scale
Instructions: This test is used to measure degree of fanship. The test uses the general term “interest.” Your interest is what ever you are a fan of. For example, if you love a sports team, that is your interest (Note: do not list your religion as your interest).
Write your interest (what you are a fan of) in the blank provided (e.g., a particular band, a sports team, a TV show, an actor, a movie, an author, an activity).
My interest is:
With this interest in mind, and ONLY THAT INTEREST, circle the number representing your agreement with each statement below.
- 1. I have rescheduled my work to accommodate my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 2. I am emotionally connected to my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 3. I spend a considerable amount of money on my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 4. I do not devote much energy to my interest.*
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 5. I want everyone to know I am connected to my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 6. I would devote all my time to my interest if I could.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 7. I would be devastated if I were told I could not pursue my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 8. I strongly identify with my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 9. When my interest is popular I feel great.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 - 10. My interest is part of me. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree - 11. I want to be friends with people who like my interest.
Very Strongly Disagree 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Very Strongly Agree
* asterisk indicates reversed item.