Parasocial Relationships

• What characterizes a parasocial relationship?

  A one-sided relationship with emotional investment
• According to McCutcheon & Maltby, what are the three levels of parasocial relationships?

  • Entertainment-social
  • Intense-personal
  • Borderline pathological
• How do parasocial relationships differ from real relationships?

  They lack reciprocity
• According to McCutcheon & Maltby, which level of parasocial relationship is the least intense?

  Entertainment-social
• What characterizes the intense-personal level of a parasocial relationship?

  Obsessive thoughts, believing celebrity is a soulmate
• What characterizes the borderline pathological level of a parasocial relationship?

  Extreme behaviours, illegal acts for a celebrity
• According to the Absorption-Addiction Model, what is the role of parasocial relationships?

  An escape from reality
• What are the two components of McCutcheon's Absorption-Addiction Model?

  • Absorption
  • Addiction
• What does 'absorption' refer to in the Absorption-Addiction Model?

  Intense focus, identifying with a celebrity
• What does 'addiction' refer to in the Absorption-Addiction Model?

  Increasing involvement, delusional behaviours, stalking
• Which statement supports the Absorption-Addiction Model of parasocial relationships?

  Maltby found links between intense relationships and poor body image
• What is a limitation of the Absorption-Addiction Model?

  It describes but doesn't explain origin
• According to Attachment Theory, what causes parasocial relationships?

  Early attachment issues
• According to Attachment Theory, which attachment style is most likely to form parasocial relationships?

  Insecure-resistant
• According to Attachment Theory, which attachment style avoids parasocial relationships?

  Insecure-avoidant
• What did McCutcheon's study reveal about attachment styles and parasocial relationships?

  No link between the two
• What is a methodological issue with using questionnaires to study parasocial relationships?

  Social desirability bias
• What is the main theory associated with attachment and early childhood development?

  Bowlby's Attachment Theory