Parasocial Relationships

• What is a parasocial relationship (PR)?

  A one-sided relationship with a celebrity
• What emotional investment does a fan typically have in a parasocial relationship?

  They spend emotional energy, commitment, and time
• What are the three levels of parasocial relationships identified by Maltby et al (2006)?

  Entertainment-social, intense-personal, borderline-pathological
• What is the Entertainment-Social level of parasocial relationships?

  • 1st level
  • Least intense level
  • Celebrities viewed as sources of entertainment
  • Fuel for social interaction
• What characterizes the Intense-Personal level of parasocial relationships?

  • 2nd level
  • Intermediate level
  • Involves obsessive thoughts about the celebrity
• What defines the Borderline-Pathological level of parasocial relationships?

  • 3rd level
  • Strongest level of celebrity worship
  • Involves extreme behaviors and fantasies
• What does the Absorption-Addiction Model explain?

  It explains why people form parasocial relationships
• What are the two components of the Absorption-Addiction Model?

  Absorption and addiction
• How does stress affect parasocial relationships according to the model?

  It may increase the parasocial relationship
• What age group is more likely to form parasocial relationships according to Schiappa (2007)?

  11-17 years old
• What factor is NOT linked to forming parasocial relationships?

  Loneliness
• What does Bowlby's theory suggest about early attachment problems?

  • Linked to difficulties in forming relationships
  • Insecure attachment types are associated with parasocial relationships
• What did Ainsworth identify regarding attachment types and parasocial relationships?

  • Insecure-resistant types seek unfulfilled needs
  • Insecure-avoidant types avoid relationships to prevent pain
• What did McCutcheon et al (2016) find about anxiety in intimate relationships?

  High anxiety in borderline-pathological and intense-personal categories
• What correlation did Maltby et al (2005) find regarding parasocial relationships?

  Correlation between parasocial relationships and poor body image
• What did Dinkha et al (2015) find about attachment and parasocial relationships across cultures?

  Insecure attachments linked to intense parasocial relationships
• What is a weakness of the evidence regarding parasocial relationships?

  Some evidence is not supportive