10. Parasocial Relationships

Question 1

what is a parasocial relationship?

Answer 1

a one sided, unreciprocated relationship with a celebrity or fictional character where the fan spends a lot of time, energy and is committed.

Question 2

what are the levels of parasocial relationships? explain them (3) - whos theory was this?

Answer 2

McCutcheon et al

• entertainment-social: entertaining, sometimes talk about it
• intense-personal: greater personal involvement
• borderline pathological: uncontrollable fantasies and extreme behaviours

Question 3

explain the components of the absorption addiction model? whos model was this?

Answer 3

McCutcheon

absorption: become pre-occupied by focus on celebrity to escape from reality
addiction: needs to sustain commitment by feeling a closer and stronger bond

Question 4

what is the attachment theory? what support is there?

Answer 4

insecure-resistant most prone to parasocial relationships because they have unfulfilled needs to be met.
Kienlen: 63% of stalkers experienced loss of primary caregiver in childhood

Question 5

what support is there for the absorption addiction model? evaluate it

Answer 5

Maltby et al: girls with poor confidence form parasocial relationships with attractive female celebs. links poor cognitive functioning with relationship.
- correlational

Question 6

what research undermines the attachment theory? evaluate it

Answer 6

McCutcheon - 299 participants, no link between attachment and parasocial relationship formation.
+ big sample

Question 7

what methodological issues are there within the theories? (2)

Answer 7

• self report methods: social desirability bias

- correlations: cause and effect