Lessons 11 - 14 Flashcards
Absence of gating in virtual relationships
No barriers (physical appearance, mannerisms) online that normally limit opportunities for less attractive or less socially skilled people when F2F. Absence of gating allows people to create their own identities and allows us to focus on self-disclosure. A person’s true self is more likely to be active online than F2F (anonymity of the internet).
Mckenna and Bargh (2002) research
Participants either interacted online for 20 minutes and then F2F or vice versa (counterbalanced). People were liked more when they were met online as communication was seen as more intimate and people could be their true selves
Absence of gating = attention is on other things, not appearance = self-disclosure becomes more frequent and deeper
Evaluation of absence of gating (Mckenna and Bargh)
(+) Study supports the idea that superficial gating features (attractiveness) are present in F2F interactions
(+) Supports the idea that absence of gating gives people the chance to bypass the usual F2F obstacles (appearance, anxiety). Shows why virtual relationships are desirable to people and why partners were liked more when met online
(-) Reduced cues theory
(-) Research about online trolling
Absence of gating - Yurchisin et al (2005)
Interviewed 11 online daters. Found that these people gave accounts of their real and better selves to attract potential partners. Some even admitted to stealing other dater’s ideas or copying images. Most online identities are similar to IRL.
There is a wider potential group of people online, because virtual relationships focus on common interests rather than being limited by superficial features (physical attractiveness)
Evaluation of Yurchisin et al. (2005)
Absence of gating
(-) Studies use self-report, which means the participants are more prone to social desirability bias, questionning the validity of the research
(-) Research has not looked at different groups of people (age groups, different attractiveness levels, ethnic groups etc.). Research lacks external validity and results cannot be generalised
(-) Fails to consider gender differences. Research shows males place more emphasis on physical attractiveness than females
(+) Bargh found that intimacy developed more quickly with virtual relationships than F2F due to lack of gating. Supports the idea that lack of gating can help virtual relationships to grow more quickly and more intimately
What are parasocial relationships?
One-sided relationships where one person invests emotional eneergy, interest and time, but the other person (usually a celebrity) is unaware of their existence
Levels of parasocial relationships
McCutcheon et al. (2002)
1) Entertainment-social: sources of entertainment (gossip), or topic for discussion (least intense - most people stay on this level)
2) Intense-personal: feelings of desire, believe in soulmates, interest in the celeb’s personal life
3) Borderline pathological: uncontrollable obsessive fantasies, illegal acts (stalking?), spends large sums of money (memorabilia), believes feelings would be reciprocated (most intense)
Evaluation of parasocial relationships
(+) Supporting studies found correlation between finding TV characters as real and a tendency to form PSR
(+) Research support that attractiveness increases the likelihood of a PSR forming
(-) Highly educated individuals may perceive celebrities as less educated than themselves, so are less likely to form PSRs
(+) Recommended that training should occur in schools to highlight the dangers of idolising celebs; can lead to eating disorders etc. Prevents PSRs
(-) Research conducted via questionnaires = possible social desirability bias and lack of ecological validity
Research by Shiappa into Levels of PSRs
Meta-analysis
Found support for the assumption that people with higher levels of PSRs watch more TV
Significant positive relationships between the degree to which a person sees TV characters as real and the tendency to form PSRs
Found evidence to support the claim that the likelihood of forming a PSR was linked to a character’s perceived attractiveness and their similarity to the viewer
Evaluation of Shiappa’s research into levels of PSRs
(-) Rubin (1985) found little correlation between loneliness and the strength of PSR, disagrees with the idea that PSRs are a dysfunctional substitute for inadequate relationships
(-) Only applies to younger people - have less involvement in F2F relationships and spend more time with media
(+) Turner (1993) found PSRs tend to form with media personalities with perceived similar attitudes, supports idea that PSRs are similar to IRL relationships
(+) Thompson (2006) agreed that PSRs satisfy needs that are fulfilled by IRL relationships (e.g. need for relatedness, competence, independence). Shows PSRs resemble F2F relationships
The Absorption addiction model
When an individual’s fascination with a media personality progresses to a delusion of a relationship. PSRs are a total pre-occupation with a celebrity’s life, and a strong involvement. McCutcheon said PSRs are due to lack of fulfilment IRL. PSRs are an escape from reality.
Research by McCutcheon
Absorption: seeking fulfilment in celeb worship, being preoccupied in their existence (all attention on them)
Addiction: sustains commitment, feels a stronger and close involvement, extreme behaviours and delusional thinking
Insecure attachments = more likely to condone stalking and obsessive behaviour
Correlation between stalking tendency and degree of attachment
No correlation between insecure attachment and PSRs (avoidant and resistant were not separated)
Celebrity worship syndrome (CWS)
Absorption-addiction model
The fascination with the lives of rich/famous people that starts off harmless fun, but leads to an abnormal obsession
Can develop into mentally disordered behaviour (stalking, delusions)
Evaluation of absorption addiction model
(+) Supporting evidence of personality traits. Some predicted characteristics (shyness, loneliness) exist in people who worship celebs and form PSRs
(+) Meloy reported that stalkers have a history of failed sexual relationships. Stalking is a reaction to social incompetence, isolation and loneliness. Suggests borderline pathological (most intense) is related to personal factors
(+) Cole and Leets (1999) found that people with insecure-resistant attachment were most likely to enter PSRs, insecure-avoidant are least likely. PSRs may serve different functions for different people, as they have different attachment styles
(-) Reductionist, no single personality type that engages in celeb admiration. There are many different motivational factors. Schiappa found no particular trait associated with the tendency to admire celebs.
(-) Individuals may not have consistent attachment styles across every relationship. Ross and Spinner (2001) have shown variation in attachment across relationships. Attempts to identify a single pattern for celebrity worship may not be worth it
Derrick et al research
absorption addiction model
Studied USA undergraduates. Found that people with high self esteem form PSRs with celebs they see themselves in. People with low self esteem form PSRs with celebs they can see their ideal self with.
People with low self esteem saw a boost in self esteem when writing about their favourite celeb, feeling different to IRL. People with low self esteem use PSRs to grow into ideal self; beneficial
Evaluation of Derrick et al research
Absorption addiction model
(-) Research shows PSRs can have negative effects. Maltby found PSRs can lead to poor body image in female adolescents, and a disposition to eating disorders. Shows a relationships between attitudes to celebs and body image which can result in low self esteem
(+) Giles and Maltby said it was important for people to choose ‘good’ celebs to worship, as they can become more important role models than parents.
(-) Many studies focus on students, sample bias as results cannot be generalised. If carried out on another age group, the results may not be the same
(-) Can be criticised because it is unclear whether the media or attachment type determine the likelihood of PSRs
Attachment theory
An infant’s early attachment creates their internal working model.
Secure attachment will lead to positive internal working model so are better at forming and maintaining relationships (less likely to form PSRs)
Suggested people form PSRs because of attachment difficulties in childhood. Supported by Bowlby’s continuity hypothesis
Insecure resistant and avoidant are most associated with unhealthy emotional development
Insecure resistant are most likely to form PSRs (unfulfilled needs, no threat of rejection)
Insecure avoidant people have trust difficulties
