Parasocial relationships

    Cards (30)

      • 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
      • They are perceived as similar to us
      • We perceive them as real
      • The viewer is female
      • The viewer is lonely and shy
    • What does the attachment theory explain?
      The nature of emotional bonds between individuals
    • What do PSRs with celebrities demonstrate according to Weiss (1991)?
      Fundamental properties of adult attachment
    • What is the first fundamental property of adult attachment identified by Weiss (1991)?
      Proximity-seeking
    • How do fans exhibit proximity-seeking behavior towards celebrities?
      By collecting trivia and rearranging schedules
    • What does a secure base allow individuals to do in relationships?
      Explore other relationships safely
    • What emotional response was observed when Jeremy Clarkson was axed from Top Gear?
      Raw emotion typical of loss of attachment
    • What phrase exemplified the protest at disruption in 2015 regarding Clarkson's departure?
      "I want to cry"
    • What are the three fundamental properties of adult attachment identified by Weiss (1991)?
      1. Proximity-seeking
      2. Secure base
      3. Protest at disruption
    • AO1- the attachment theory explanation
      Attachment style
      Cole and Leets ( 1999):
      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?
      Absorption addiction model
    • How does McCutcheon (2002) explain parasocial relationships?
      Through deficiencies in people's real lives
    • Who is more likely to seek parasocial relationships?
      People with a poor sense of self
    • What do parasocial relationships provide for individuals?
      An escape from reality
    •  
      Absorption
      By seeking fulfillment through the relationship with the celebrity, this motivates the individual to focus ALL  their attentions on them.
      They become preoccupied with their existence and identify with them
    • How might a person progress from an entertainment-social relationship to a deeper parasocial relationship?
      In response to a traumatic or stressful event
    • What is the initial type of relationship someone might have with a celebrity?
      Entertainment-social relationship
    • Why might someone seek refuge in a parasocial relationship?
      To achieve fulfillment lacking in real relationships
    • What is the purpose of a parasocial relationship for individuals feeling unfulfilled?
      To fill the void in their lives
    •  
      Addiction
      This is the same as addiction in the traditional sense!
      The individual needs to sustain their attachment/commitment to the celebrity.
      Their involvement gets stronger and closer and may lead to irrational or extreme behaviours and delusional  thoughts
    • (+) research support for factors involved in parasocial relationships
      Schiappa et al (2007): Meta-analysis
      Findings:
      • people with higher level of PSR also
      watch more TV.
      • significant positive relationship between the degree to which a person perceived TV characters as real and their tendency to form PSR
      • the likelihood of forming a PSR with TV characters are linked to characters seen as attractive and similarity to the viewer
    • (+) Cultural similarities in PSR
      Schmid and Klimmt (2011): 
      Are there differences between the PSR formed with Harry Potter by German fans (individualist culture) and Mexican fans (collectivist)?
      Findings:
      • Fans from both countries showed similar patterns of PSR with Harry Potter and other characters.
      • A survey revealed the fans admired Harry Potter and found similarities between their own lives and those portrayed in the books and films. 
      • = this demonstrates the universal influence of mainstream media culture
    • (+) Links in mental health
      Maltby et al (2003) used the Eysenck personality 
      questionnaire to assess the relationships 
      between parasocial relationship level and 
      personality. 
      Entertainment Social = Extraversion (sociable, lively)
      Intense Personal = Neuroticism (tense, emotional, moody)
      (Neuroticism is also linked to depression and anxiety)
      Borderline Pathological = Psychoticism (anti social, egocentric)
    • (-) Methodological issues
      Two major issues:
      • Most studies of parasocial relationships use self report methods
      A lot of the findings and supporting evidence is correlational in nature
    See similar decks