Parasocial Relationships

Question 1

what is a parasocial relationship

Answer 1

One-sided relationships, where one person extends emotional energy, interest and time, and the other party is completely unaware of the other’s existence.

Question 2

parasocial relationship (background)

Answer 2

• In our media-saturated world, where many people see actors through screens more frequently than they see their close friends, parasocial relationships have become some of our most important relationships.
• While you may not be willing to tell others of your secret relationship with Taylor Swift, you should know that millions of others probably share a close imaginary relationship with her, too.
• Most parasocial relationships are completely harmless—the equivalent of caring just a bit too much about Will and Jada’s impending divorce.
• But the ones that get the most attention are the few cases where extreme parasocial relationships cross the line into stalking or other threatening behaviour, generally in a person with underlying mental illness.
• There has been great concern in the West (particularly in North America) since the 1960s that
  ‘real heroes are being replaced by celebrities – persons whose achievements amounted to little more than being able to sing and dance better than most’.
• The CAS was developed in response to these concerns.

Question 3

Levels of Parasocial Relationships

Answer 3

• Giles and Maltby (2006) identified three levels of parasocial relationships that a person might have with a celebrity:
  1. Entertainment-social level, where the person keeps up with their celebrity for the purpose of entertainment only- discussing them with friends. This is harmless.
  2. Intense-personal level, where the person has intensive feelings for the celebrity and might appear obsessed.
  3. Borderline-pathological, characterised by uncontrollable behaviours and fantasies about the celebrity, (e.g. a belief that the relationship is real) - their absorption is more like an addiction.

Question 4

A01- Attachment Explanations

Answer 4

• Have focused on the importance of attachment styles in developing parasocial relationships (based on the work of Ainsworth and Bowlby)
• Individuals who are Insecure-Resistant are more likely to develop parasocial relationships.
• This is because PSRs present little risk of criticism, disappointment or rejection- patterns they would have experienced in childhood.
• Individuals who are Insecure-Avoidant are even less likely than securely attached ones to develop PSRs.
• This is because they want to avoid the pain and risk of relationships at all costs- whether that be real relationships or parasocial ones.

Question 5

AO3 Support- Cole and Leets (1998) (Attachment Explanations)

Answer 5

• 115 students completed the CAS and two attachment style questionnaires
• Found those with an insecure resistant attachment style turn to T.V. characters as a means of satisfying their ‘unrealistic and often unmet’ relationship needs/demands

Question 6

A03- Research Support? Contradictory support? (Attachment Explanations)

Answer 6

• McCutcheon (2006) tested the hypothesis that adults with insecure attachment types would form stronger PSRs than adults with a secure attachment type.
• 299 students completed a Celebrity Attitudes Scale, an unpublished Celebrity Stalking Scale and Relationship/Attachment Questionnaire
• NO SUPPORT was found for this hypothesis, although insecurely attached adults were more likely to CONDONE stalking of celebrities
• In McCutcheon’s study, Insecure Resistant AND Insecure Avoidant pps were used
• This could explain the results!

Question 7

A01- Absorption-Addiction Model

Answer 7

• Argues that people pursue PSRs due to issues/deficits in their own lives and in their real relationships
• PSRs allow us to escape from or cope with reality
• Absorption in the life of a celeb can provide a sense of identity and fulfilment, yet this becomes more and more addictive

Question 8

A03 Research Support (Maltby, 2006)
(Absorption-Addiction Model)

Answer 8

• The absorption-addiction model predicts an association between high scores on the CAS and poor psychological health.
• Maltby used a sample of over 300 uk students (both male and female)
• Each student completed the CAS (celebrity attitude scales) and a general health questionnaire, measuring depression, anxiety and social dysfunction.
• Individuals found to be at the first stage on the CAS had some degree of social dysfunction (e.g. loneliness, escapism)
• Those who had reached the second level scored highly on anxiety and depression.
• This research tells us two things:
  1. The first level is not harmless
  2. Total support is sought for the Absorption Addiction Model

Question 9

A03- Culture (Absorption-Addiction Model)

Answer 9

• Concerns have only previously existed over WESTERN cultures.
• New research from the Philippines suggests that PSRs are becoming problematic in Eastern parts of the world too.
• Tengo-Pacquing et al (2013) compared data on 600 students who completed the CAS from North America and the Philippines. The mean score for the Filipino sample was 66- the highest ever recorded- with historic Western recordings ranging from 40-60.

Question 10

Further A03- Culture (Absorption-Addiction Model)

Answer 10

• The fact that research is now pointing to the fact that PSRs are NOT culture bound is a distinct advantage of the theory- suggesting we can apply it nomothetically and that the theory therefore has UNIVERSALITY.
• One EVOLUTIONARY explanation for PSRs is that we have a genetic instinct to copy/emulate successful individuals because it would have given our ancestors an increased chance of SURVIVAL.