Parasocial relationships

    Cards (13)

    • What is the mnemonic for parasocial relationships?

      • Caitlyn 
      • Lusts 
      • After
      • Ben
      • Affleck
    • What does the mnemonic for parasocial relationships stand for?
      C = celebrity attitude scale (CAS)
      L = levels
      A = absorption-addiction model
      B= Bowlby 
      A = Ainsworth
    • What is a parasocial relationship?
      • One-sided, unreciprocated relationship
      • Usually with a celebrity, on which the 'fan' expends a lot of emotional energy, commitment and time.
    • What is CAS?
      • Celebrity attitude scale
      • Used by Maltby et al.
      • Identifies 3 levels of parasocial relationships
    • What are the 3 levels of parasocial relationships?
      • Entertainment social level
      • Intense-personal level
      • Borderline pathological level
    • What is the entertainment social level?
      • Least intense level where celebrities are viewed as a source of social entertainment and a fuel for social interaction
    • What is the intense-personal level?
      • Intermediate level where someone becomes more personally involved with a celebrity and may include obsessive thoughts
    • What is the borderline pathological level?
      • Strongest level of celebrity worship where fantasies are uncontrollable and behaviour is more extreme
      • E.g. spending lots of money on merchandise, willing to perform some illegal act
    • Outline the absorption- addiction model (1)
      • Developed by McCutcheon & suggests that parasocial relationships can make up for personal deficiencies (eg lack of fulfilment
      • Parasocial relationships also provide an escape from reality and people may be triggered towards a higher level by stressful life events
    • Outline the absorption- addiction model (2)
      Absorption
      • Seeking fulfilment in celebrity worship motivates an individual to focus their attention on the celebrity.
      • To become absorbed in the celebrity's life and identify with them.
      Addiction
      • Like a psychological addiction, individual needs to increase their 'dose' of involvement to gain satisfaction.
      • This may lead to more extreme behaviours & delusional thinking.
    • How does attachment theory explain parasocial relationships? (Bowlby)
      • Bowlby's attachment theory suggests that early difficulties in attachment may lead to difficulties in forming successful relations later in life (IWM).
      • Such difficulties may lead to a preference for parasocial relationships to replace those within one's own social circle as parasocial relationships do not require the same skills.
    • How does attachment theory explain parasocial relationships? (Ainsworth)
      • Ainsworth identified two attachment types associated with unhealthy emotional development (insecure-avoidant & insecure resistant)
      • IR are more likely to form parasocial relationships because they want to have their unfulfilled needs met in a relationship where there is not real threat of rejection 
      • IA are the least likely as they prefer to avoid the pain and rejection of any type of relationship, social or parasocial
    • Evaluate parasocial relationships
      • :) Cross-cultural support; Schmid & Klimmt found similar levels of parasocial attachment to Harry Potter in both individualistic (Germany) & collectivist cultures (Mexico) 
      • :( self-report studies
      • :( link to attachment theory lacks support; McCutcheon et al. found that participants with IR were no more likely to form parasocial relationships with celebrities than participants with secure attachment styles
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