parasocial relationships

• parasocial relationships: one-sided where one person extends emotional time, energy and interest. The other person is unaware of the other's existence.
• Celebrity attitude scale - McCutcheon (2002): a way of measuring parasocial relationships.

  Maltby (2006) generated three levels of parasocial relationships based on the celebrity attitudes

  1. entertainment social - least intense, doesn't occupy the mind as much, just gossip. It is just purely a form of entertainment by reading, watching things about them
  2. intense-personal level - intermediate level, greater personal involvement. Have compulsive thoughts about the celebrity
  3. bordeline pathological - strongest level, uncontrollable fantasies with extreme behaviour - over-identification, stalking
• the absorption-addiction model = reasons why, they are generated due to personal inadequacies through a low-self esteem or weak identity.

  1. aborsption = become completely absorbed by the celebrity and over identify with them. They then become preoccupied with the celeb and identify with them.
  2. addiction = seeking greater involvement so that the parasocial relationship becomes all consuming
• attachment theory explanation: Bowlby and Ainsworth

  • fans exhibit proximity seeking as a part of their parasocial relationships (going to their concerts).
  • celebrities are unlikely to reject parasocial fans, which can provide a secure base (name of fan groups)
  • individual protest following separation or loss, showing separation anxiety (stop releasing music).

  insecure-resistant: most likely to form a parasocial relationship as it fulfills unmet needs

  secure: less likely, already form long-lasting

  insecure-avoidant: no concern or interest, cannot form any type