A03 - Parasocial Relationships

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Created by
Anna

Cards (11)

  • Evaluating Parasocial Relationships?

    + Supporting Research for absorption-addiction model
    - Methodological Issues
    - Problems with attachment Theory
    +Cultural Influences
  • Supporting Research for absorption-addiction model:PART 1

    P = Maltby (2005) supported absorption-addiction model by investigating link between celebrity worship & body image in males & females (14-16 years). Studied teenagers who had I-P relationships with female celebrity whose body shape they admired.
    E = Particular interest in females with I-P parasocial relationship with female celebrity whose body shape they admired. Found these female adolescents tended have poor body image & speculated link may be precursor/contribute to development of eating disorders e.g. anorexia nervosa. 
  • Supporting Research for absorption-addiction model - PART 2
    E = Maltby et al (2003) also links I-P category with neurotic traits AND B-P category with psychotic personality type. 
    L = Findings show/confirm the prediction that there is correlation between level of parasocial relationships of celebrity worship (type & intensity) & poor psychological functioning.
    BUT, model lacks explanatory power, only explains characteristics associated with each level, rather than explain WHY difference develops in first place - which doesn't help prevent dangerous parasocial relationships occurring.
  • Problem with attachment theory: PART 1

    P = There are issues with attachment theory as an explanation for parasocial relationships.
    E = McCutcheon et al (2006) measured attachment types & celebrity related attitudes in 299 participants. Researchers found ppt with insecure attachments were no more likely to form parasocial relationships with celebrities than ppt with secure attachment. No correlation between 299 participants with Insecure Resistant & high intense levels of Parasocial Relationships.
  • Problem with attachment theory: PART 2
    E = This finding fails to support a central prediction of the attachment explanation of parasocial relationships, raising doubts about its validity (little predictive strength). 
    L = Thus parasocial relationships are not always compensating for unfulfilled emotional needs due to childhood attachment problems. This research contradicts claim made by attachment theory explanation of parasocial relationships and thus weakens the theory explanation.
  • Cultural Influence - PART 1 parasocial
    P = Research studies identified a tendency for some people to form a parasocial  relationship with fictional characters (e.g. Harry Potter).
    E = Developing this, Schmid & Kilmmt (2011) report that this tendency is not culturally specific. Using online questionnaire methodology, they found similar levels of parasocial attachment to Harry Potter in an individualist culture (Germany) & a collectivist culture (Mexico). Found similar levels of worship suggesting that the absorption-addiction model is universally applicable. (universal phenomenon).
  • Cultural Influence - PART 2parasocial
    E = Dinkha et al (2015) compared attachment and parasocial relationships in contrasting cultures - collectivist (Kuwait) and individualist (US). In both cultures people with insecure attachments were most likely to form intense parasocial relationships with TV characters.
    L = This supports the view that attachment type may be a universal explanation for the need to form parasocial relationships and that this theory can be generalised and has high population validity.
  • Methodological Issues - PART 1parasocial
     P = A weakness of this theory is that there are two methodological issues with the studies into parasocial relationships. For example they use self-report methods to collect their data and most used correlational analysis.
    E = Self report e.g. online questionnaires - these are subject to a number of effects that bias findings, for example social desirability and demand characteristics e.g. participants may respond to quite personal items in a way which they think enhances their social status.
  • Methodological Issues - PART 2para
    E = Studies like Maltbys (2016) use correlational analysis showing = strong correlations between celebrity worship & body image - this does not show casual relationships ONLY correlation  e.g. CORRELATION NOT CAUSATION.
    But the conclusion, that an intense-personal parasocial relationship causes young women to have a poor body image is unwarranted (only correlation). Could be women who already have poor body image are drawn to an intense-personal worship or an admired celebrity. Could be the opposite direction or an unmeasured third variable.
  • Methodological Issues - PART 3par
    E = BUT, correlations (or natural experiments) can suggest links (NOT CAUSES) & may be only option we have. Thus although correlational data should be treated with caution, it valuable for its insights into parasocial relationships’ links with other variables. Issues of cause & effect addressed by longitudinal research but this is currently lacking.
    L = Reasons for developing parasocial relationships may be different from ones uncovered by research; since addiction- absorption model based on such studies which lack internal validity, thus weakening findings.
  • Evaluating Parasocial Relationships?

    + Supporting Research for absorption-addiction model
    - Methodological Issues
    - Problems with attachment Theory
    -Cultural Influences