Parasocial Relationships- The Absorption Addiction Model Flashcards
Who is the absorption addiction model by?
McCutcheon
What does the model suggest?
- The tendency people have to form parasocial relationships are based off of the deficiencies in their own life
- Parasocial relationships allow the individual an escape from their own lives
What are the 2 levels of this model?
- Absorption
- Addiction
What is meant by absorption?
- Individuals may dissatisfied with their lives, so they follow and admire celebrities to fill a gap in their lives
- The individual will ‘absorb’ some of the success of the celebrity to make them feel good about themselves
What is meant by addiction?
- Extreme cases whereby the parasocial relationships become addictive for the individual
- It is in these cases where criminal behaviour tends to take place
- It’s also in these types of relationships whereby the individual us so distorted from reality that they may genuinely believe they’re in a relationship with the celebrity
If the point is:
A weakness of the absorption addiction model is that not all parasocial relationships are negative.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Maltby found that individuals in the entertainment social category were mentally healthy. This makes sense, as the majority of teenagers who experience this go on to be healthy. However, those in higher categories had poor mental and physical health.
Link- This suggests that the model may encounter issues when applied to some real life cases, reducing its practical applications.
If the point is:
A strength of the absorption addiction model is that there is research to support it.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Meloy found that stalkers tend to have a history of failed sexual relationships and tend to not be in a relationship at the time of the stalking. Stalking tends to be a response to social and sexual incompetence. This provides support for the idea that the individual is trying to ‘absorb’ some of the celebrities success.
Link- This suggests support for the model, as it shows deficiencies in people’s lives are linked to intense parasocial relationships, therefore making the theory more credible.
If the point is:
A weakness of the absorption addiction model is that there are major methodological with its research.
What is the explanation and link?
Explanation- Most research studies on parasocial relationships use self report methods to collect data, such as online questionnaires. These are subject to a number effects that can bias the findings, such as participants perhaps responding in a way they think enhances their social status.
Link- Therefore, researchers need to be careful they do not infer causation within their conclusions and further research is needed to establish the true cause.
If the point is:
A strength of the absorption addiction model is that it has real world applications, helping us to understand eating disorders in more depth.
What is the evidence and link?
Evidence- Maltby looked in particular at females aged 14-16 who had a parasocial relationship with a female whose body shape they admired. They found these females had poor body image and speculated that this could be a precursor to the development of anorexia.
Link- Therefore, this can help identify those at risk of developing a harmful mental health condition so that they can get the treatment they need, leading to positive effects on society.
What are the evaluation points for the absorption addiction model?
+ Research to support
– Not all parasocial relationships are negative
– Major methodological research with research into it
+ Has real world applications, helping us to understand eating disorders in much more depth
