L13 - Attachment Theory

Question 1

What can parasocial relationships be linked to? Give an example of a characteristic of parasocial relationships that is linked to attachment?

Answer 1

• Attachment problems in childhood

- Separation Protest: protest at loss of attachment

Question 2

Why do people with attachment issues form parasocial relationships?

Answer 2

To meet their need for affection/attachment

Question 3

What theories are used to explain PRs

Answer 3

• Bowlby’s monotropic theory

- Maternal Deprivation

Question 4

How does Bowlby’s theory relate to PRs

Answer 4

• Failure to form a monotropic attachment before the critical period (2 years) or developing a poor attachment has long term impacts
• People become affectionless psychopaths and develop a poor internal working model
• If individuals didn’t form a strong bond with a primary caregiver, they will try to find an attachment substitute as adults, and they will engage in parasocial relationships

Question 5

What was predicted from Ainsworth’s study?

Answer 5

• Insecure resistant relationships with primary caregiver = more likely to PRs. Too scared of criticism and rejection in real life relationships.
• Insecure resistant children are clingy and show less explorative behaviour than others as they don’t feel safe enough to leave their parent.
• They show great distress when their mothers leave the room. This behaviour translates into clingy and jealous behaviour in adulthood, making it hard to develop committed and lasting romantic relationships
• Intensive PRs allow insecure resistant people to engage in a fantasy about the perfect relationship without rejection

Question 6

Evaluation (+)

Answer 6

(+) Individuals with an insecure-resistant attachment we’re more likely to engage in PRs with their fave TV personality. Those who have insecure avoidant are least likely, suggesting there is a relationship between early attachment and adult PRs
(+) 63% of stalkers experienced loss of a primary caregiver in childhood, 50% reported childhood emotional, physical or sexual abuse from primary caregivers, suggesting disturbed attachment in childhood relates to extreme forms of PRs
(+) Adults with insecure attachments has positive attitudes to obsessive behaviours and stalking. Pathological attachment types tend to stalk which implies stalking is related to childhood attachment

Question 7

Evaluation (-)

Answer 7

(-) PRs can be positive, and not just fulfilling attachment needs - allows safe exploration of emotions
(-) Research studies on childhood attachment and PRs are based on memories of early life to access attachment. These are likely to be flawed because memories aren’t always accurate, making the studies invalid.