PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS Parasocial Relationships Describe the main features

PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS

Parasocial Relationships Describe the main features of parasocial relationships; the levels of parasocial relationships, the absorption-addiction model; the attachment theory explanation Evaluate The theories of parasocial relationships, and evaluate the evidence to support and contradict the absorption-addiction model and the attachment theory explanation

Starter • Write down on a piece of paper – Who your favourite celebrity is – Why is this celebrity your favourite more so than others? – Do you aspire to be like them? – Do you follow them on social media? – Do you watch their TV shows/listen to their music? – Do you have any of their merchandise? – Do you buy any products they promote?

What is a celebrity? A celebrity is a famous, widely -recognised person who commands a high degree of public and media attention. It has been said that many are well known just for being well known. The rise of celebrity culture is linked to massive growth of reality tv – for example Big Brother.

National Children’s Day Poll 2008 Who is the most famous person in the world? Simon Cowell!

And then……. God…….

And then……. The Queen…

National Children’s Day Poll Children rated being a celebrity as the best career in the world!

Now a days we can keep track of personalities through social media On social media personalities are very open… about their friends and family They upload photographs & videos They tell you what they are up to each day They can be in the public eye every single day You may follow Kim Kardashian on all social media, watch her snapchats, watch Keeping up with the Kardashians etc. . To the extent where you feel like you know her Are you in a parasocial relationship?

Some individuals may intensify their relationship by… 1. Attempting to communicate with the individual Previously: fan mail In modern society: tweets, commenting on photos 2. Purchasing memorabilia (posters, calendars, make up, clothing, perfume, music, movies, documentaries, books etc. ) 3. Purchasing products associated with the personality e. g. Pepsi

Kim Kardashian has 87 million followers on Instagram alone That’s more than – The total number of people who live in the UK – The total number of people who live in 217 countries

• We know this is not a two way relationship • For example, Kim Kardashian only follows 104 people on Instagram – compared to her 87 million followers • Just because you know a lot about the personalities life, does not mean they know about yours

Parasocial relationships ‘Para’ – means resembling. Parasocial relationships are missing a key element normally present in relationships What do you think it is? Reciprocity They are one sided!

Parasocial relationships • One sided relationship • Typically occurs with media personalities – out of individual’s real social network • This can happen with – Real people: Kim Kardashian, Barack Obama – Fictional Characters: Harry Potter, Dr Who – Groups: One direction, Bon Jovi • Generally occurs without the personalities knowledge

Parasocial Relationships • Relationships with celebrities are usually entirely one-sided. • The target individual is unaware of the existence of the person who created the relationship. • These relationships may be appealing because they make few demands, and the individual does not run the risk of criticism or rejection as might be the case in a real relationship.

Parasocial Relationships PSR’s are more likely if… • The object of affection is perceived as attractive • They are perceived as similar to us • We perceive them as real • The viewer is lonely and shy

Parasocial relationships typically peak between the age of 11 and 17 • Level of education is an influencing factor – the less education, the greater level of attraction to media personalities • Males usually more interested in sporting stars • Females interested more in entertainment world Support: Giles (2000) Young people are more attracted to media personalities than older people are

• Parasocial relationships were previously perceived as abnormal and thought to have derived from neuroticism, isolation, loneliness, fear and lack of social interaction • However, a more recent idea suggests parasocial relationships serve to help people • Specifically young people forming their identity

Some of these relationships allow observation and imitation of positive role models

Turner 1993 • Parasocial relationships are formed with media personalities with perceived similar attitudes (like friendships) Does anyone have similar • This supports the idea that parasocial relationships are similar to attitudes as a reason for real, interpersonal relationships • their favourite celeb Though there was no being similaritytheir found between levels of physical favourite? attractiveness and background, which often occurs with faceto-face relationships These celebrities held strong views about the events involving Alton Sterling On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling, a 37 -year-old black man, was shot several times at close range while held down on the ground by two Baton Rouge Police Department officers

Question • Explain how parasocial relationships differ from virtual relationships?

Parasocial relationships may be beneficial. . Gabriel (2008) • Ppts given questionnaire measuring their self esteem • Ppts then asked to write essay about their favourite celebrity • Then given the questionnaire again • Findings: Self esteem increased following the essay when compared to before • This suggests, they may have incorporated the celebrity characteristics into themselves, thus boosting self esteem • This is something which they may not be able to do in face-to-face relationships, due to the fear of rejection stopping them getting close to people

The absorption addiction model

Absorption Addiction Model Mc. Cutcheon et al (2002) proposed the Absorption Addiction Model to explain how parasocial relationships become abnormal. ABSORPTION: they have deficits in their own sense of personal identity – absorption is an attempt to establish personal identity. Absorption has addictive qualities so individuals go to further and further lengths to maintain a sense of fulfilment via the parasocial relationship. (Enduring Love) This model therefore predicts that there will be an association between poorer mental health and the strength of parasocial relationships. To test this, Mc. Cutcheon devised the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS)

Complete the questionnaire I have given you

Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS) Is a tool used to measure PSR; • Measures social aspect associated with celebrity worship ‘My friends and I like to discuss what X has done. ’ • Measures the intensity of a person’s feelings towards the celebrity along with obsessional tendencies - ‘I consider X to be my soul mate. ’ • Measures the potentially harmful aspects of feelings towards the celebrity - ‘If X asked me to do something illegal as a favour I would probably do it. ’

Levels of Parasocial Relationships Maltby et al (2006) used the Celebrity Attitude Scale developed by Mc. Cutcheon 2002 to identify three levels within parasocial relationships

Celebrity Attitude Scale 1. Entertainment-Social: talk with friends about 2. 3. celebrities/gossip. Intense-Personal: intensity of feelings for celebrities. Can become an obsession. Borderline-Pathological: potentially harmful aspects of feelings for celebrities. Can lead to uncontrollable behaviours e. g. stalking. Most people never move beyond ES level but PSR’s can become addictive.

Levels of Parasocial Relationships (Giles & Maltby, 2006) Entertainment/social Intensepersonal Borderline Pathological Celebrity is a source of gossip/interaction Intensive, Compulsive feelings towards celebrity Uncontrollable behaviours/ fantasies

Mc. Cutcheon (2003) Of 600 participants • 20% fell into the first category of ‘Entertainment-Social’ • 10% the second ‘Intense. Personal’ • 1% the third ‘Borderline. Pathological’

One sided Unreciprocate d A lot of time is spent by the fan She has sent this tweet over 10, 000 times!

The most terrifying celebrity fan obsessions • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Qlq. V 6 o. A ZM-c

Your task Using information from the tutor 2 U course companion pack “parasocial relationships”, and Complete the next 2 pages of the activity pack

Theory 2 The Attachment Theory Explanation

Attachment styles and Parasocial Relationships • This theory proposes that insecure attachment leads to an increased interest in celebrities. • PSRs make no demands, and do not involve criticism or the risk of rejection. Which attachment style is MOST likely to form a PSR?

Attachment styles and Parasocial Relationships Anxiousresistant • Most likely to form PSRs • They have concern that others will not reciprocate their desire for intimacy. They turn to TV characters to satisfy their “unrealistic and often unmet relational needs” Anxious avoidant • Least likely • They find it difficult to develop relationships and therefore are very unlikely to seek them from real or fictional people. Secure attachment • Not likely • Often have satisfactory real-life relationships and do not seek an additional relationship with a celebrity.

Attachment styles and Parasocial Relationships It is thought that people who can be needy and clingy in relationships may be more likely to develop PSRs. This type of attachment style is known as insecureresistant (anxious ambivalent)

Evidence: Cole and Leets 1999 Those with an insecure resistant attachment style turn to TV celebrities as a means of satisfying their ‘unrealistic and often unmet’ relational demands

Further supporting evidence Kienlen et al (1997) Disturbed childhood attachment could lead to the development of borderline-pathologicial level of PSR. 63% of stalkers lost a caregiver at an early age 50% experienced emotional and physical abuse

Counter argument

Mc. Cutcheon (2006) Tested 3 hypotheses Sample: 299 students (age 16 -42) Procedure: used Celebrity Attitude Scale and a Stalking Scale. 1. Adults with insecure attachment are more likely to become attached to celebrities than those with a secure adult attachment type. Measured adult attachment using a relationship questionnaire. 2. Insecure adults are more likely to agree with/condone stalking and Measured childhood attachment type obsessive behaviour towards through the use of a parental bonding celebrities. scale based on their recall of the relationship with their parents before 3. There is a correlation between the age of 16. stalking and pathological tendencies towards attachment to celebrities.

Mc. Cutchon (2006): Findings There was no relationship between insecure attachment and the tendency to form PSR with celebrities. However those with insecure attachment types were more likely to think that stalking was acceptable and there was a relationship between pathological attachment and the tendency to stalking. Therefore insecure attachment is a predisposing factor.

Real World Application – Understanding Support for absorption addiction Eating Disorders • ==

Links to Mental Health Maltby et al (2003) used the Eysenck personality questionnaire to assess the relationships between parasocial relationship level and personality. Entertainment Social = Extraversion (socialable, lively) Intense Personal = Neuroticism (tense, emotional, moody) (Neuroticism is also linked to depression and anxiety) Borderline Pathological = Psychoticism (anti social, ego centric) How does this link to mental health?

Methodological issues • Self report measures – can bias the findings as people may give socially desirable answers. This may make the explanations found for PSR less valid • Correlational analysis – parasocial relationships CAUSE women to have poor body image • Could it be the other way around? • Could address with longitudinal research

Developing A 03 How can we further develop this evaluative point? Questionnaires use Universality – lack of cultural bias Link to validity

Have a go at the question sheets

Challenge Explain two limitations of the absorption addiction model of parasocial relationships. (Total 6 marks)

Possible limitations: • Views parasocial relationships as psychopathological and thus is negative in contrast to the positive/active view • Evaluative comparison with attachment explanation • The absorption–addiction model provides a description rather than an explanation of the processes involved in parasocial relationships. • Use of evidence against the absorption–addiction model • Broader scientific issues eg difficulty showing cause and effect • Limited availability of evidence – problems of testability Credit other relevant limitations. Level Marks Description 3 5– 6 Explanation of two limitations is clear and effective. The answer is coherent and well organised with effective use of specialist terminology. 3– 4 Explanation of two limitations is mostly effective although one or both lack explanation. The answer is mostly clear and organised, with appropriate use of specialist terminology. OR One limitation is explained at top of Level 3. 1– 2 At least one limitation is presented. Explanation lacks detail/is minimal/is muddled. Specialist terminology is either absent or inappropriately used. OR One limitation is explained at top of Level 2. 2 1 0 No relevant content.

Problems with the absorption addiction model Psychologists believe a good theory should be able to describe, explain and predict behaviour. Any theory that meets only the first of these aims is lacking validity because it is not a full explanation of the behaviour. However, it also means that there is no significant conflict between the absorptionaddiction model and attachment theory. The model describes the various levels of parasocial involvement, and attachment theory explains how they develop out of childhood attachment experiences. Perhaps a combination of both would be the most valid and useful explanation of how parasocial relationships form and develop.

Cultural Influences The finding tells us that the need to form parasocial relationships may be a universal (or at least very widespread) feature of human behaviour. It may even be innate, or at least tap into an innate relationship-formation mechanism, and have a genetic or evolutionary basis. This could support the absorption-addiction model’s assumption that parasocial involvement arises out of poor psychological adjustment, deficiencies in everyday functioning or lack of fulfilment in relationships. Perhaps people generally have a need to escape into parasocial relationships to cope with the stressors of everyday life.

Extension Activity Apply explanations of parasocial relationships to these cases. Barbie - http: //www. dailymail. co. uk/femail/article-3494737/Mother-fivespent-500 -000 -plastic-surgery-look-like-Barbie. html#v 8658247988578073674 Ken - https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=5 KNWWUX 38 W 0 Katie Price - https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=i. PZvp 13 f. Eas Justin Bieber - http: //www. dailymail. co. uk/femail/article-3365407/World-sbiggest-Justin-Bieber-fan-changed-pretend-married-sleeps-life-sizecardboard-cut-singer. html

Imaginary friends and real world consequences – TED talk • https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=22 yoai. LY b 7 M