Parasocial Relationship

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Levels of Parasoical relationship

Entertainment Social-

This intense of the levels

Celebrities are viewed as a source of entertainment and therefore provide talking topics for social interactions

Intense-Personal-

Intermediate level, which reflect greater personal connection with parasocial relationship

Frequent obsessive thoughts and fixations on celebrity

Borderline pathological-

Strongest level of celebrity worship

Featuring uncontrollable fantasies and extreme behaviours- To the point of spending large amount of money on celebrity related objects.

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The Absorption- Addiction Model

Tendency to form parasocial relationships as a result deficiencies in peoples lives. For example; when they lack for fulfilment in their everyday relationships.

Two components to the model

Absorption-

Individual becomes focused on CELEBRITY WORSHIP to the point where they become pre-occupied in their existence and identify with them.

Addiction-

Just like addiction to a substance, the individual has to keep feeding their fixation to remain committed to the relationship. This can lead to more extreme behaviour and delusional thinking.

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The attachment theory explanation

Forming parasocial relationships is most common in adolescence because it bridges the gap between parental attachment and peer relationships.

AINSWORTH

Identified those with a insecure- resistant attachment type are more likely to form parasocial relationships in adulthood. This is because they need to have their unfulfilled needs met.

Insecure-avoidant attachment type cannot deal with the rejection or pain caused by relationships so chose to avoid them all together whether they're social or parasocial.