ONLINE PSYCHOLOGY COURSE FOR TEENS psychology of fandoms

A favourite artist, actor, team, musical, game or fictional world can become part of how someone expresses themselves, finds their people and remembers important moments.

Across four live sessions, we’ll explore what makes people become fans, why shared interests create such a strong sense of belonging and how stories, performers and characters can influence the qualities we admire and the person we imagine becoming.

We’ll look at identity, fan communities, emotional connections, role models and personal strengths. We’ll also briefly explore why someone can feel close to a person they have never met and the difference between knowing someone and knowing about them.

Using psychology, familiar examples and creative activities, young people will discover why fandom can be far more meaningful than simply liking something, while recognising more of what makes them who they are.

Session 1: When a fandom becomes part of you
We’ll explore what turns an interest into a fandom and how favourite stories, teams and performers can become connected to identity, self-expression and memory. Young people will consider why “just a band”, “just a game” or “just a story” can mean so much to someone.

Session 2: Finding your people
We’ll look at how shared interests help people connect quickly and create a sense of belonging. Young people will explore fan traditions, shared language, group identity and the excitement of experiencing something as part of a crowd or community.

Session 3: Why we feel so connected
We’ll explore how stories, characters and public figures can become emotionally important. Young people will look at identification, comfort and inspiration, as well as why someone can feel familiar when we only know them through a screen, stage or story.

Session 4: Finding our own superpowers
Favourite characters, performers, players and stories can influence the qualities we admire and the person we imagine becoming. We’ll explore the strengths, beliefs and values we recognise in the people and characters we look up to, and what they might help us see in ourselves.

Young people will create a personal mood board showing some of the things that make them who they are, including their interests, strengths, important beliefs and their own superpowers.

Who will enjoy this course?

Young people don’t need to belong to a particular fandom. They might have an all-time favourite, enjoy a few things casually or simply want to understand why fans connect so strongly with the things they love.

They can join discussions, use the chat, vote in activities or listen more quietly. Nobody will be asked to share or defend their own interests.

Course details

Mondays 28 September and 5, 12 and 19 October 2026, 11am–12pm UK time. Live online through Zoom. £24 for all four sessions.

What they’ll need

• A device with Zoom for the live sessions
• Paper and a pen or pencil
• Any course resources sent before or between sessions

No previous knowledge of psychology is needed. Once you book, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the joining details and anything needed for the sessions.