Parasocial Relationships Flashcards
Define the term “parasocial relationship”
An individual is attracted to another person (usually a celebrity) , who is usually unaware of the existence of the person who has created the relationship
What are the 3 types of attachment behaviours in parasocial relationships?
-Give a brief description of them
1) Proximity seeking - links to the attachment theory. Fans will exhibit proximity seeking behaviours as part of their PSR e.g collect info about them or rearrange schedule
2) Secure base - a sense of security and a ‘safe haven’ that allows the individual to explore the world.
3) Protest at disruption - the presence of prolonged distress following separation or loss of the attachment figure
What did Cole and Leets (1999) show about attachment style and PSRs?
1) Anxious-ambivalent = most likely to form PSR. As they hold negative view of themselves so turn to TV characters to satisfy their unmet needs.
2) Avoidant = least likely to enter PSR. As they find it more difficult to form intimate relationships and avoid not only relational intimacy but imagined intimacy.
3) Securely attached = moderate levels of parasocial interaction. Will only develop one when they find it hard to trust their relational partner
Define the term “absorption addiction model”
Individuals can become psychologically absorbed with a celebrity to establish a sense of fulfilment. The motivational forces driving this absorption might then take on an addictive component, leading to more extreme behaviours in order to sustain the parasocial relationship.
When are parasocial relationships most likely to form?
1) with characters who are considered attractive to the viewer
2) with characters who are viewed as similar to the viewer
What is used to identify the 3 levels in the absorption addiction model?
The CELEBRITY ATTITUDE SCALE (CAS)
What are the 3 components of the CAS?
-Give a description of each
1) Entertainment-social - Fans are attracted to the celebrity and will keep up with them. For example on the CAS = ‘learning the life story of my favourite celebrity is a lot of fun’
2) Intense-personal - deeper level of involvement. Leads to intense and compulsive feelings. For example on the CAS = ‘I love to talk to others who admire my favourite celebrity’
3) Borderline-pathological - empathy with the celebrity = individuals will identify with their success and failures. & - over identification with the celebrity and uncontrollable behaviours. For example on CAS = ‘if I walked through the door of my favourite celebrity’s house, he would be happy to see me’
What does McCutcheon suggests makes an individual absorbed in a PSR?
An introverted nature
Difficult set of social circumstances
Lack of meaningful relationships
How does an individual, according to McCutcheon, transfer from being absorbed to being addicted?
If absorption is too high it’ll lead to higher levels of parasocial interaction where the motivational forces driving this absorption will be addictive leading to the person to to adopt extreme behaviours to sustain satisfaction with the PSR they have with the celebrity .
At the borderline pathological level the PSR becomes ‘addictive’ due to the stronger involvement
(A03) Does culture affect PSRs?
NO
P:Schmid and Klimmt (2011) investigated whether there would be differences in the PSRs formed with the fictional character Harry Potter in two contrasting cultures
E: Germany = individualist, Mexico= collectivist. Found = fans from both cultures displayed very similar patterns of PSRs.
E: This study shows the universal influence of mainstream media characters and the commonalities between individuals’ own lives and relationships and those portrayed in films and books.
(AO3) How is the absorption addiction model applicable to mental health?
P: The absorption addiction model links to mental health. Maltby et al (2003) used Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to asses the relationship between PSR level and personality in a sample drawn from students and the community.
E:Found entertainment social level = extraversion (lively, sociable) Intense-personal = neuroticism (moody, emotional tense)
E: As neuritis is related to anxiety and depression, this provides a clear explanation of why higher levels of par asocial relationship are associated with poorer mental health.
(AO3) What is a strength of the AO1 for PSRs?
P: A meta-analysis of studies provides research support for factors that are instrumental in the formation of PSRs.
E: Found support for the assumption that people with higher levels of PSRs also watched more TV. Also found support to the claim that the likelihood of forming a PSR with TV characters was linked to those characters’ perceived attractiveness and their similarity to the viewer.
E: Consequence of this = bereavement if there is a cancellation or loss of tv show, similar to loss in a ‘real’ relationship.
(AO3) Are parasocial relationships linked to loneliness?
P: PSR may not be caused due to loneliness but may cause loneliness.
E: Greenwood and Long found that individuals develop PSRs as a way of dealing with feelings of loneliness or loss. However, Eyal and Cohen showed that the loss of a PSR may lead to loneliness = 279 students who were fans of the tv series friends were lonely (varied due to intensity of the PSR) on the last episode.
E: This suggests that PSRs may not only compensate for feelings of loneliness, but their loss can also create feelings of loneliness.
(AO3) Is a loss of a parasocial relationship linked to attachment style?
Yes
P: An Israeli study (Cohen, 2004) =loss of PSR = loss of a real relationship
E: A sample of 381 students answered questions about how they’d react if their favourite TV characters were taken off air and also questions about attachment style. Most peeled negative emotions - ranged due to intensity of PSR.
E: This study also supported the important influence of attachment style, with anxious-ambivalently attached participants anticipating the most negative responses.
