Parasocial relationships

• What is a strength of the theory linking parasocial relationships to attachment style?

  There is research support for it
• What did Cohen's study involve regarding adults and their favorite TV characters?

  Adults answered questions about their reactions if their favorite characters were taken off the air and their attachment style
• What negative reactions did viewers anticipate if their favorite characters were taken off the air?

  Feelings of sadness, anger, and loneliness
• How were the negative reactions related to parasocial relationships in Cohen's study?

  They were related to the intensity of the parasocial relationship with the favorite character
• Why is Cohen's study significant in the context of parasocial relationships?

  It supports the claim that viewers show negative responses to the loss of a parasocial relationship similar to real relationships
• Which group of participants anticipated the most negative responses in Cohen's study?

  Anxious-ambivalently attached participants
• What conclusion can be drawn about the link between parasocial relationships and attachment style based on Cohen's study?

  The link is reliable
• What did McCutcheon et al. measure in their study?

  Attachment types and celebrity-related attitudes in participants
• What was the finding of McCutcheon et al. regarding insecure attachments and parasocial relationships?

  Participants with insecure attachments were no more likely to form parasocial relationships than those with secure attachments
• What is a strength of research into parasocial relationships?

  It has useful applications.
• What does McCutcheon et al.'s research imply about the attachment theory's prediction?

  It raises serious doubts about its validity
• What types of personality did Maltby (2003) link to levels of parasocial relationships?

  Extravert, psychotic, and neurotic.
• What level of parasocial relationship is associated with extraverts according to Maltby (2003)?

  Entertainment-social level.
• What was the sample size of participants in McCutcheon et al.'s study?

  299 participants
• What does the research by McCutcheon et al. suggest about the relationship between insecure attachments and parasocial relationships?

  Insecure attachments do not lead to a higher likelihood of forming parasocial relationships
• At which level of parasocial relationships are neurotics found according to Maltby (2003)?

  Intense-personal level.
• What level of parasocial relationship is linked to psychotics according to Maltby (2003)?

  Borderline-pathological level.
• What model does Maltby's findings support regarding parasocial relationships?

  The absorption-addiction model.
• Why is the association between neuroticism and parasocial relationships significant?

  It suggests higher levels of parasocial relationships are linked to poorer mental health.
• What correlation did Maltby find between intense celebrity worship and teenage girls?

  A significant correlation with eating disorders.
• How can research into parasocial relationships be applied in a therapeutic context?

  • Improve understanding of psychological disorders
  • Encourage individuals with depression/anxiety to engage less in parasocial relationships
  • Discourage girls with eating disorders from celebrity worship
• What is a weakness of parasocial relationships (PSRs)?

  They are linked to loneliness
• What did Eyal and Cohen (2006) find about PSRs and loneliness?

  PSRs can lead to loneliness following a parasocial 'breakup'
• In the study by Eyal and Cohen (2006), what was the strongest predictor of feelings of loneliness after the final episode of Friends?

  The intensity of the PSR with their favorite character
• How many students were sampled in Eyal and Cohen's (2006) study?

  279 students
• What did Greenwood and Long (2009) suggest about the development of PSRs?

  Individuals may develop PSRs to cope with feelings of loneliness or loss
• Why is it significant that PSRs can create feelings of loneliness?

  Because their loss can also lead to feelings of loneliness
• What is the relationship between PSRs and feelings of social isolation?

  • PSRs are linked to feelings of social isolation and loneliness
  • Loss of PSRs may not fulfill the purpose of alleviating loneliness
• What is a strength of research on parasocial relationships?

  Similar findings are found across different cultures.
• What tendency was identified in research studies regarding Harry Potter?

  Some people form parasocial relationships with Harry Potter.
• What did Schmid and Klimmt (2011) find about parasocial attachments to Harry Potter?

  They found similar levels of attachments in both Germany and Mexico.
• What methodology did Schmid and Klimmt (2011) use in their research?

  They used an online questionnaire methodology.
• Why is the finding about parasocial relationships across cultures significant?

  It suggests that the nature of parasocial relationships is universal.
• What does the universality of parasocial relationships imply about the absorption-addiction model?

  It suggests that the absorption-addiction model is universally applicable.