Parasocial relationships

Parasocial relationships are one-sided, unreciprocated relationships, usually with a celebrity, on which the 'fan' expends a lot of emotional energy, commitment and time.

There are three levels of parasocial relationships:

1. ENTERTAINMENT-SOCIAL: least intense level of celebrity worships. Celebrities are viewed as sources of entertainment and fuelling social interaction, eg. friends discussing stories in soaps.

2. INTENSE-PERSONAL: intermediate level reflecting a greater personal involvement, eg. having frequent thoughts and intense feeling about a celebrity.

3. BORDERLINE PATHOLOGICAL - strongest level: uncontrollable fantasies and extreme behaviours, eg. spending large amounts of money or committing a crime.

The levels were developed using the 'celebrity attitudes scale'.

AO3:

• Schmid and Klimmt: report that tendency to parasocial attachments is not culturally specific. Online questionnare found similar levels of parasocial attachment to Harry Potter in an individualist culture (Germany) and a collectivist culture (Mexico). Suggests research into celebrity worship describes a universal phenomenon, therefore high external validity and cultural generalisability.

EXPLANATIONS OF PSRs:

1. THE ABSORPTION-ADDICTION MODEL:

• Proposed by McCutcheon
• Absorption: we lack relationships in real life, relationships with celebrities allow escape from reality, therefore we become increasingly absorbed in the celebrity's life to gain a sense of identity and become fulfilled.
• Addiction: sense of fulfilment becomes increasingly addictive. addiction increasing with absorption. Greater addiction…