Exploring the psychological landscape of geek culture: associations with personality dimensions and star wars interests

Understanding the relationships between normal-range and pathological traits and media consumption is crucial for advancing psychological research and clinical practice. This study examines geek culture’s psychological landscape, focusing on the associations between personality dimensions and engagement with the Star Wars franchise. Using a comprehensive Star Wars Media Consumption (SWMC) scale developed for this research, we examined the interplay between geek preferences and normal-range and pathological personality traits. Participants ( N = 996) completed the SWMC, BFI-2-S, and PID-5 BF+. Data analysis included centrality and bridge centrality measures to identify network key nodes. Individuals high in Openness exhibited strong engagement with the franchise’s imaginative elements. Those with higher levels of Psychoticism showed less engagement. Agreeableness was positively associated with identifying with the Light side of the Force, indicating social and community-building tendencies. Lower Agreeableness was linked to identifying with the Dark side, reflecting skepticism and competitiveness. Neuroticism was associated with an interest in Star Wars’ complex and darker themes. The “addicted to Star Wars” node demonstrated the highest centrality, suggesting its critical role in linking personality traits with media consumption patterns. These findings underscore the potential for using media preferences as clinical indicators, offering novel insights for personality assessment in clinical practice.