Editing Fan (person) (section)

==Characteristics==
[[File:Beliebers wants to see Justin Bieber (7317015488).jpg|thumb|"Beliebers", the fans of [[Justin Bieber]], gathering around the hotel where Bieber is supposed to be inside in [[Oslo|Oslo, Norway]] on 30 May 2012.]]
Fans usually have a strong enough interest that some changes in their [[lifestyle (sociology)|lifestyles]] are made to accommodate devotion to the focal object.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Thorne |first1=Scott |last2=Bruner |first2=Gordon |date=2006-01-01 |title=An exploratory investigation of the characteristics of consumer fanaticism |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235308806 |journal=Qualitative Market Research|volume=9 |pages=51–72 |doi=10.1108/13522750610640558}}</ref> Fans have a desire for external involvement – they are motivated to demonstrate their involvement with the area of interest through certain behaviors (attending [[Fan convention|conventions]], posting online, displaying team banners outside their homes, etc.). Fans often have a "wish to acquire" material objects related to the area of interest, such as a baseball hit by a famous slugger or a used [[guitar pick]] from their musical hero. As well, some fans have a desire for [[social interaction]] with other fans.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Anderton |first1=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_lgEAAAQBAJ&dq=As+well,+some+fans+have+a+desire+for+social+interaction+with+other+fans&pg=PA59 |title=Music Management, Marketing and PR |last2=Hannam |first2=James |last3=Hopkins |first3=Johnny |date=2022-02-24 |publisher=SAGE Publications |isbn=978-1-5297-8529-6 |language=en}}</ref> This again may take many forms, from casual conversation, e-mail, chat rooms, and electronic mailing lists to regular face-to-face meetings such as fan club meetings and organized conventions.

There are several groups of fans that can be differentiated by the intensity level of their level of involvement or interest in the hobby (level of [[fanaticism]])<ref name=TB>{{cite journal | last = Thorne | first = Scott | author2 = Bruner, Gordon C. | year = 2006 | title = An exploratory investigation of the characteristics of consumer fanaticism | journal = Qualitative Market Research | volume = 9 | issue = 1 | pages = 51–72 | doi = 10.1108/13522750610640558 | url = http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/2160090104.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120526220420/http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/2160090104.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 26, 2012 }}</ref> The likelihood for a subject of interest to be elevated to the level of fandom appears to be dictated by its complexity. Complexity allows further involvement of fans for a longer period of time because of the time needed to work the subject of interest 'out.' It also contributes to a greater sense of belonging because of the mental effort invested in the subject.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}