Leaving the Building: Elvis, Celebrity and the Limits of Psychological Autopsy
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University of Chester; University of BrightonPublication Date
2018-10-01
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This article probes the limits of one particular mode of biographic investigation—psychological autopsy—and considers its relationship to the way in which fans have sought to understand their hero. Using Elvis as a case study, we aim to prompt wider discussion about the efficacy of psychological autopsy as a means of understanding popular individuals. If psychological autopsy is so compromised, why does it remain popular? Our discussion develops in two parts. The first examines how psychological autopsy departs from objectivity and is problematic as theory. The second asks why fans are still interested in discussing why Elvis died, even though psychological autopsy necessarily lacks methodological rigour.Citation
Duffett, M. & Hearsum, P. (2018). Leaving the Building: Elvis, Celebrity Biography and the Limits of Psychological Autopsy. Transatlantica, 1. https://doi.org/10.4000/transatlantica.12921Journal
TransatlanticaAdditional Links
https://journals.openedition.org/transatlantica/12921Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1765-2766ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.4000/transatlantica.12921
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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/