Attachment Theory

Question 1

What is attachment theory

Answer 1

The idea that parasocial relationships can be linked to attachment problems In childhood. People with childhood attachment problems form parasocial relationships to meet their need for attachment/affection

Question 2

What can we use to explain parasocial relationships

Answer 2

They use bowlbys monotropic theory and maternal deprivation theory to explain parasocial relationships. Bowlby noted that failure to form a secure monotropic attachment before the critical period of 2 years had several long term impacts. People can become affectionless psychopaths, develop poor internal working models, become delinquents… . Bowlbys theories predict that individuals who didn’t form a strong bond (insecure resistant) with their primary care giver in early childhood will try find an attachment substitute as adults, in which parasocial relationships allow them to do

Question 3

What do attachment types infern

Answer 3

Individuals who formed insecure resistant relationships with their primary caregiver in early childhood will be more likely to form parasocial relationships, as they are afraid of criticism and rejection that are a part of real life relationships. As was demonstrated by ainsworth findings, in the strange situation, insecure resistant were very clingy and less explorative. They also show hella distress when parents leave. According to Hazan and Shaver, this behaviour translates to clingy and jealous behaviour in adulthood, making it difficult for them to commit. Intensive parasocial relationships allows people with insecure resistant to engage in perfect relationships without risk of rejection

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

Cole and Leets (1999) found that individuals with an insecure-resistant attachment style were more likely to engage in parasocial relationships with their favourite TV personality, and insecure-avoidant individuals were the least likely to engage in parasocial relationships. This suggests there is a relationship between early attachment in childhood and adult parasocial relationships.

Research found that 63% of stalkers experienced loss of primary caregiver in childhood usually from parental separation. 50% reported childhood emotional, physical or sexual abuse from primary caregivers. This supports the idea that insecure attachment is related to extreme forms of parasocial relationships as an adult

A study found that adults with insecure attachment types had positive attitudes to obsessive behaviours and stalking. Pathological attachment types tend to stalk which implies stalking is related to childhood attachment.

Question 5

Weakness

Answer 5

• Research studies into the link between infant attachment type and parasocial relationships rely on participants’ memories about their early lives in order to assess their infant attachment style. Such recollections are likely to be flawed because our memories of the past are not always accurate, meaning the studies are not valid.

Parasocial relationships can be positive and not just about fulfilling attachment needs. For example, they allow a safe exploration of emotions.