Information about celebrities’ political activities can influence how people think about political parties

From Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber, to Oprah, celebrities have a tremendous influence over people’s lives. But does that influence also extend to how people think about political parties as well? In new research, Anthony J. Nownes looks at how people react when given the information that celebrities have made contributions to the Republican and Democratic parties. He finds that when people dislike a celebrity, and that celebrity has contributed to a party, then they like that party less. He also writes that celebrities’ political activities inform how people view them; such that those who dislike a party are turned off a celebrity who they are told has supported that party.