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Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology
2026. Vol. 15, no. 1, 7–16
doi:10.17759/jmfp.2026150101
ISSN: 2304-4977 (online)

A review of research on the fandom phenomena in foreign science

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. In the modern information society, the processes of socialization of children and youth are constantly becoming more complex against the backdrop of growing societal demands. Technological innovations are changing interpersonal relationships, creating new social environments into which youth immerse themselves, seeking to satisfy their numerous needs. A new social environment is being generated — new youth subcultures and fandoms as their particular manifestation. The purpose of the theoretical review is to analyze the phenomenon of fandoms and to identify psychological phenomena studied to date both within fandoms themselves and in the context of social interaction. Results. It has been found that the concept of social identity and the degree of involvement in a fandom can be considered as its core components. A structural-content model of fandom is described, taking into account technological innovations as an environmental factor. Specific examples of analysis of various psychological manifestations of fandom within different disciplines are provided. Conclusions. It is shown that fandom is a still insufficiently studied complex phenomenon of the modern information-communicative space, but one that possesses significant influence on the socialization and identity formation of youth — a phenomenon whose study appears to the authors to be more productive from the position of using an interdisciplinary approach.

 
 

General Information

Keywords: subculture, fandom, socialization, social identity, engagement

Journal rubric: Social Psychology

Article type: review article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2026150101

Received 19.04.2025

Revised 21.09.2025

Accepted

Published

For citation: Kozhukhar, G.S., Grevtsev, I.A. (2026). A review of research on the fandom phenomena in foreign science. Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology, 15(1), 7–16. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/jmfp.2026150101

© Kozhukhar G.S., Grevtsev I.A., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Galina S. Kozhukhar, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Chair of Theoretical Foundations of Social Psychology, Department of Social Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8680-1188, e-mail: kozhuhargs@mgppu.ru

Ivan A. Grevtsev, Postgraduate Student, Department of Theoretical Foundations of Social Psychology, Faculty of Social Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7572-2989, e-mail: beliywolk013@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors

Kozhukhar G.S. — ideas of the scientific review; selection of foreign sources and their analysis, generalization.
Grevtsev I.A. — analysis of some scientific sources, application of comparative data analysis; additional selection of foreign sources; translation into English, formatting of text and bibliography according to requirements.
The authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

 

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

 

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