McCutcheon suggests that parasocial relationships can make up for personal deficiencies (e.g. lack of fulfilment)
Why proposed the absorption-addiction model?
McCutcheon
Parasocial relationships also provide an escape from mundane lives
People may be triggered towards a higher level by stressful life events such as a bereavement
What are the two components to the absorption-addiction model?
Absorption and addiction
Absorption:
Seeking fulfilment in celebrity worship motivates an individual to focus their attention on the celebrity, to become absorbed in the celebrity's existence and identify with them
Addiction:
Like a physiological addiction, the individual needs to increase their 'dose' of involvement to gain satisfaction. This may lead to more extremebehaviours and delusional thinking
