Final answer:
Celebrities possess referent power, which allows them to influence others due to their fame and the public's admiration for them. This form of power is based on their personal qualities and the charismatic authority they hold as outlined by Max Weber.
Step-by-step explanation:
Celebrities often possess a type of power known as referent power. This kind of power comes from the ability of individuals, due to their high level of popularity or fame, to influence or serve as a reference point for others. Because people admire or relate to celebrities, they may try to emulate their behavior or heed their opinions.
As an example, a celebrity with a large following on social media may influence public opinion or consumer behavior simply by endorsing a product, sharing a particular viewpoint, or promoting a social cause. This influence is based on what sociologist Max Weber defined as charismatic authority, which is a form of power exercised through personal qualities such as popularity, attractiveness, or fame.
It's important to note that celebrities do not usually hold expert power, which is derived from one's knowledge or expertise in a specific field. Additionally, they don't typically possess reward power or coercive power in the way that a person in a formal leadership or managerial role might, since these types of power involve the ability to give or withhold rewards and to punish, respectively.