PAPER 3 - RELATIONSHIPS - parasocial relationships

Question 1

what are parasocial relationships?

Answer 1

one way (unreciprocated) relationships where an individual is attracted to a media figure (usually a celebrity) who is unaware of the existence of the person who has developed the PSR

Question 2

why do we form parasocial relationships?

Answer 2

PSR may be particularly appealing to some as the relationships make few demands and do not run risk of criticism or rejection as in real relationships

Question 3

who proposed the 3 levels of parasocial relationships?

Answer 3

Giles & Maltby (2006)``

Question 4

what are the 3 levels of parasocial relationships?

Answer 4

level 1 - entertainment or social level
level 2 - intense personal level
level 3 - borderline pathological level

Question 5

what is involved in level 1 (entertainment or social level)?

Answer 5

• less intense level of celebrity worship
• celebrities viewed as sources of entertainment

Question 6

what is involved in level 2 (intense personal level)?

Answer 6

• intermediate level of PSR reflecting greater level of personal involvement
• intensity engaged with chosen celebrity e.g. consider them to be their soulmate

Question 7

what is involved in level 3 (borderline pathological level)?

Answer 7

• strongest level of PSR - uncontrollable fantasies & extreme behaviours
  e.g. try to contact them, where they live etc.

Question 8

what is the celebrity attitude scale (CAS)?

Answer 8

• survey identifying views about a famous person
• 5 point scale

Question 9

what are the strengths of the CAS as a measure of PSRs?

Answer 9

• allows us to measure the intensity of PSRs in a quantitative way
• can answer anonymously (may be more truthful than face to face interview)

Question 10

what are the limitations of the CAS as a measure of PSRs?

Answer 10

• self report data
• vulnerable to SDB and may lack validity

Question 11

what are the 2 explanations of parasocial relationships?

Answer 11

• attachment theory
• absorption-addiction model

Question 12

what does attachment theory of parasocial relationships refer to?

Answer 12

• PSR being linked to atatchment problems in childhood
• might form PSRA to meet need for attachment/affection
• attachment behaviours can be seen in those with PSR e.g. proximity seeking (following on social media) etc

Question 13

how does Bowlby’s internal working model and Ainsworth’s attachment styles relate to attachment theory of PSRs?

Answer 13

• we develop IWM of relationships in early childhood and continues through adulthood
• also develop particular attachment style
• IWM and attachment style are thought to impact development of parasocial relationships as PSRs may function similarly to real-life relationships in terms o fattachment behaviours

Question 14

what is an example of proximity seeking, secure base, and separation protest within PSRs?

Answer 14

proximity seeking - following on social media
secure base - celebrity acts as a secure base
separation protest - grief at loss of celebrity

Question 15

what are the strengths of attachment theory?

Answer 15

• Cole & Leets - partial support - found insecure-resistant most likely to enter PSR
• Cohen - found link between security of attachment and negative responses to loss of PSR - insecure-resistant anticipated more negative responses
• Kinlen - argued insecure attachment styles were more likely to for PSRs as theyre more attractive to insecurely attached people due to little chance of rejection/disappointment

Question 16

what are the limitations of attachment theory?

Answer 16

• Cole & Leets found not all types of insecure attachment is linked to PSR forming, as insecure avoidant were least likely to enter PSR
• McCutcheon found no relationship between attachment type and PSR to relationships
• findings overall inconsistent

Question 17

what is the absorption-addiction model of PSRs?

Answer 17

• explains development of more intense parasocial relationships due to deficits in real life e.g. lack of fulfilment, weaker sense of personal identity
• individuals become psychologically absorbed with a celebrity to escape reality and establish a sense of fulfilment
• motivational forces driving absorption might take on an addictive component

Question 18

how is the absorption-addiction model linked to levels of parasocial relationships?

Answer 18

those with a weaker sense of personal identity or poorer psychological functioning may go beyond level 1 (entertainment level) and “absorb” themselves in celebrity’s life to gain stronger sense of their own identity

Question 19

what are the strengths of absorption-addiction model?

Answer 19

• research support for more intense PSR being linked to deficits in in terms of poorer psychological functioning e.g. depression, anxiety, vulnerability to addiction (Maltby 2006)
• McCutcheon found personality factors influence addiction to celebrity worship, impulsiveness and irresponsibility have been associated with other addictions e.g. substance abuse - found those that scored highly on impulsiveness were more likely to have strong attachments to celebrities

Question 20

what are the limitations of absorption-addiction model of PSRs?

Answer 20

• some evidence questions the model/is inconclusive (Greenwood & Long found no relationship between intensity of loneliness and intensity of parasocial relationships) suggesting loneliness was not a predictor of PSRs
• descriptive not explanatory
  limitations of supporting evidence:
• correlational study so cant establish C and E e.g. did deficit cause PSR or did PSR happen as a result
• based on self report data (SDB)
• difficulty measuring variables