Relationships with celebrities are usually entirely one-sided.
The target individual is unaware of the existence of the person who created the relationship.
These relationships may be appealing because they make few demands, and the individual does not run the risk of criticism or rejection as might be the case in a real relationship.
PSR’s are more likely if…
The object of affection is perceived as attractive
People with an Anxious-ambivalent attachment style are more likely to enter into PSR with their favourite TV celebrity.
This attachment style is characterised by a concern that others will not reciprocate one’s desire for intimacy
them, forming a PSR is a mean of satisfying the “unrealistic” and often unmet relational needs.
the PRS formed with the media figure will reflect a desire for intimacy.
AO1- the attachment theory explanation
Attachment style
Cole and Leets ( 1999):
Avoidant ind: least likely to enter into PRS because they find it difficult to dvp intimate relationships so avoid both real and imaginary intimacy.
Levels of Parasocial relationships:
Lynn McCutcheon and colleagues (2002) developed the celebrity attitude scale (CAS) to determine the different levels of parasocial relationships with celebrities. John Maltby et al. (2006) then conducted a wide scale survey and concluded that there are three levels
Entertainment - social: Least intense level of “celebrity worship”. The celebrity is a source of gossip/interaction. Fans watch, keep up this, learn about the celebrities for the purpose of real life social interactions i.e. with friends. Most people never go beyond that level
Intense-Personal:
An intermediate level. It is an intense and greater personal level of involvement. Compulsive feelings towards celebrity with frequent obsessive thoughts
Boderline-Pathological: The strongest level! Uncontrollable behaviours/ fantasies. Over-identification with the celebrity and a willingness to spend large amounts of money or commit illegal acts
What model explains the tendency to form parasocial relationships?