SARA R.

ERLICHMAN
College of Communications
Pennsylvania State University
210 Carnegie Building
University Park, PA 16803
Phone: (814)285-2443
Email: sre6@psu.edu

RESEARCH & TEACHING INTERESTS

I research the complicated, yet influential relationship audiences hold with media personas.
Specifically, I am interested in how media personas affect audiences’ behaviors, perceptions,
personalities, and how their parasocial relationships impact their social life and relationships.
Moreover, my research explores if audiences are developing relationships for specific benefits
and support, and the prosocial effects for positive representations of various marginalized or
stigmatized groups in media.

AREAS OF RESEARCH AREAS OF TEACHING

Media Effects/Media Psychology Media Effects/Media Psychology
Audience Engagement with Media Mass Communication Research
Media-Audience Relationships Strategic Communications
Parasocial Relationships

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Graduate Research Instructor January 2019 – Present

Pennsylvania State University

Online Instructor May 2018 – December 2018

Pennsylvania State University

Graduate Research Assistant January 2017 – Present

Pennsylvania State University

Graduate Teaching Assistant August 2016 – December 2016

Pennsylvania State University

Graduate Teaching Assistant January 2015 – May 2016

University of Kansas

EDUCATION

Ph.D. of Communication August 2016 – Expected Graduation in May 2020

Pennsylvania State University

Masters of Journalism and Media Studies August 2014 – May 2016

University of Kansas, Advisor: Dr. Genelle Belmas
Thesis title: An enterprise for magic, dragons, and Impalas: An evaluation of parasocial
interactions and fan discourse in four genre fandom online discussion forums
This study conducted a content analysis evaluating the presence of parasocial relationships
in fandom forums, the use of language to understand how fans are reinterpreting text during
online discourse, and the relationship between PSIs and interpretation styles.

Bachelor of Arts in Communications Graduated May 2014

Minor in Psychology
Virginia Wesleyan College

PUBLICATIONS

Myrick, J. G., & Erlichman, S. (2019, January 28). How Audience Involvement and Social
Norms Foster Vulnerability to Celebrity-Based Dietary Misinformation. Psychology of Popular
Media Culture. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000229

CONFERENCE PAPERS & PANELS

Erlichman, S., Oliver, M.B., Tan, R., Reed, O., Ford, S., & Chen, C., Ambiguous Movie
Endings: Effects of Perceived Complexity and Affective Responses on Long-term Engagement.
Mass Communication Division for the National Communication Association in Baltimore (2019,
November).

Erlichman, S., & Pluretti, R., BROTUS Memes: A Presidential Bromance. Visual
Communication Division for the National Communication Association in Baltimore (2019,
November).

Erlichman, S., Reed, O., Tan, R., Chen, C., Ford, S., & Oliver, M.B., Talking about Inception:
How Unresolved Movie Endings Impact Audiences’ Responses to Film. Information Systems
Division for the International Communication Association in Washington D. C. (2019, May).

Erlichman, S., & Harrison, V., Coping with Tragedy via Reflected Glory: How the Houston
Astros’ World Series win contributed to locals overcoming Hurricane Harvey. Sports
Communication Interest Group for the International Communication Association in Washington
D. C. (2019, May).

Harrison, V. & Erlichman, S., The NFL, CSR, and Fan Relationship Building: Examining the
National Anthem Controversy. Public Relations Division for the International Communication
Association in Washington D. C. (2019, May).

Erlichman, S., Wirth, R., & Oliver, M. B., Examining the Role of Inspiring Media and Resultant
Emotional Elevation on Enhancing Political Connectedness and Willingness to Engage in
Political Dialogue. Mass Communications Division for the National Communication
Association in Salt Lake City, UT (2018, November).
Erlichman, S. An enterprise for magic, dragons, and Impalas: Evaluating and Comparing
Multiple Fandoms Through A Semiotic Approach. Communications Theory and Methodology
Division for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington
D.C. (2018, August).

Erlichman, S. Discussing Vulcans, Hermione, Khaleesi, and the Winchesters: An evaluation of

parasocial interactions in online fandom forums. Mass Communications Division for the
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington D.C. (2018,
August).

Harrison, V. & Erlichman, S. Sports CSR and Fan Relationship Building: Looking at the NFL.
Public Relations Perspectives in Sports Communication of the Public Relations Division for the
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Virtual Conference (2018,
May).

Erlichman, S. & Boehmer, J. Is it weird my role model is a fictional character? How the level of
parasociability serves different relationship roles. Paper accepted to the Mass Communication
Division for the 2017 annual conference of National Communication Association, Dallas, TX
(2017, November).

Molina, M. & Erlichman, S. The Role of Internet Memes in Virtual Communities: Can Memes
Create Sense of Belonging and Community in an Online Setting? Paper accepted to the Visual
Communication Division for the 2017 annual conference of National Communication
Association, Dallas, TX (2017, November).

Pluretti, R. & Erlichman, S. To Love, to Mourn, to Commit a Murder-Suicide: News Framing

Gender Violence in a Small Town. Paper accepted to the Commission on the Status of Women
Division for the 2017 annual conference of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass
Communication, Chicago, IL (2017, August).

Erlichman, S. What Do You Think About Your Favorite Fictional Character? An In-Depth
Evaluation of the Cognitive Development of Parasocial Relationships. Paper accepted to the
Mass Communication Division for the 2016 annual conference of National Communication
Association, Philadelphia, PA (2016, November).

Erlichman, S. Fact Checks, Theories, Interpretations, and Self-Creation: An evaluation and

Comparison of Semiotic Discourse in Discussion Forums across Different Fandoms. Paper
accepted to the Fan Fiction Panel for the 2016 annual conference of Mid-Atlantic Popular and
American Culture Association, Atlantic City, NJ (2016, November).

Pluretti, R. & Erlichman, S. “Out of Love, Out of Mourning: News Framing a “Crime of
Passion” in the 2016 SUNY Geneseo Double Murder-Suicide.” Paper accepted to the Women’s
Studies Division for the 2016 annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic and Popular and American
Culture Association, Atlantic City, NJ (November, 2016).
Erlichman, S. I Am In A Relationship With Harry Potter: Evaluation of Parasocial Interactions
and Textual Poaching in Harry Potter Fandom Forums. Paper accepted to the Communication
Theory and Methodology Division for the 2016 annual conference of Association for Education
in Journalism and Mass Communication, Minneapolis, MN (2016, August).

STUDENT RESEARCH COMPETITIONS

Pluretti, R. & Erlichman, S. (April 2017). “To Love, To Mourn, to Commit a murder-suicide:
news framing gender violence in a small town” Paper accepted for the 2017 annual Graduate
Research Competition, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.

Erlichman, S. (March 2016). “I Am In A Relationship With Harry Potter: Evaluation of

Parasocial Interactions and Textual Poaching in Harry Potter Fandom Forums” Paper accepted
for the 2016 annual Graduate Research Competition, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.

TEACHING

Instructor for Communications 118 Media Effects Spring 2019

“Media Effects and Sports” COMM 118 Intro to Media Effects Guest Lecture Fall 2018
Pennsylvania State University

Instructor for Communications 412 Sports Media and Society Fall 2018
Pennsylvania State University

Instructor for Communications 100 The Mass Media and Society Summer 2018
Pennsylvania State University

“Media Effects and Sports” COMM 118 Intro to Media Effects Guest Lecture Fall 2018
Pennsylvania State University

Teaching Assistant for Communication 118 Introduction to Media Effects Fall ’16 & ‘17
Pennsylvania State University

“Consumer Behavior” Guest Lecture given to JOUR 320 Strategic Communications

University of Kansas

Teaching Assistant for Journalism 320 Strategic Communications

University of Kansas

Teaching Assistant for Journalism 101 Introduction to Journalism

University of Kansas

SERVICE

Reviewer, International Communication Association 2018- Present

Mass Communication
Sports Communication

Reviewer, National Communication Association 2018- Present

Mass Communication Division

HONORS & AWARDS

Second Place in the Student Paper Competition, 2018

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Second Place in the Student Paper Competition (as co-Author), 2018

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Graduate Research Presentation Award (as co-Author), 2017

2017 Graduate Research Competition, University of Kansas

Selected Speaker at Undergraduate Research Symposium, 2013

Virginia Wesleyan College

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

National Communication Association Present

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Present

PROFESSIONAL & OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

Student Hourly September 2014 – December 2014

University of Kansas
Marketing Intern September 2013 – December 2013
Mid Eastern Athletic Conference
Marketing Intern February 2013 – November 2013
National Air Filtration Association
PR Intern January 2013 – June 2013
Ocean Breeze Water Park
PR Intern July 2012 – October 2012
Susan G. Komen Tidewater Affiliate

REFERENCES

PSU Faculty & Doctoral Committee Chair, Dr. Mary Beth Oliver: mbo1@psu.edu
PSU Faculty & Doctoral Committee Member, Dr. Schmierbach: mgs15@psu.edu
PSU Faculty & Doctoral Committee Member, Dr. Fuyuan Shen: fus1@psu.edu
PSU Faculty & Doctoral Committee Member, Dr. Jessica Myrick: jgm43@psu.edu