Parasocial Relationships Absorption Addiction

Question 1

parasocial relationships

Answer 1

missing a key element that is normally present in relationships

Question 2

levels of parasocial

Answer 2

Maltby et al
- borderline pathological
- entertainment social
- intense personal

Question 3

borderline pathological

Answer 3

features uncontrollable and extreme behaviours; such as willing to perform an illegal act

Question 4

entertainment social

Answer 4

celebrities viewed as fuel for social interaction

Question 5

intense personal

Answer 5

intense thoughts and feelings about the celebrity

Question 6

celebrity attitude scale

Answer 6

measures social aspects associated with celebrity gossip
measured the intensity of a persons feelings towards the celebrity along with obsesional tendencies
measured the potentially harmful aspects of feelings towards the celebrity

Question 7

McCutcheon

Answer 7

600 pts
20% entertainment social
10% intense persona;
1% borderline pathological

Question 8

McCutcheon - absorption addiction model

Answer 8

• explain how parasocial relationships become abnormal
• absorption: seeking fulfilment in the celebrity worship motivates the individual to focus their attention as far as possible on the celebrity to become pre-occupied with existence and identify with them
• addiction: individual needs to sustain their commitment to the relationship by feeling a stronger and closer involvment with the celebrity

Question 9

attachment styles and parasocial relationships

Answer 9

• proposes insecure attachment leading to an increased interest in celebrities, dont involve criticism or risk of rejction
• those are are needing and clingy are more likely to develop; insecure-resistant

Question 10

cole and leets

Answer 10

those with insecure attachment turn to T.V characters as a means of satisying their unrealistic and often unmet relational demands

Question 11

maltby 2005

Answer 11

looked in particular at females ages 14-16 who had a parasocial relationship with a female who’s body they adrmired
- poor body image
- speculated this could be a precursor to the development of AN
- suggests obsession with celebs can lead to extreme behaviour
- hence absorption-addiction

Question 12

methological issue

Answer 12

generically conducted with self-reports, can bias the findings and give socially desirable answers