PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIP

BETWEEN FANS AND PUBLIC

FIGURES.
FIRSTLY: show some pictures and quizzes about celebrities and
celebrities worship syndrome-> as u can guess, the topic I will
talk about today is…(slide)

Nowadays, with the development of the Internet together with many

social media platforms, Idol culture is becoming viral and the term “one-
sided relationship” does not seem to be something unfamiliar with
everybody, especially the young generation. And I bet almost everyone
here at least once had a feeling for some celebrities like actors, pop stars
or media figures, and even fictional characters. Despite not having ever
met that person in real life, you still feel attached to them . If you do,
then, it might be a parasocial relationship.
DEFINITION
So what is a parasocial relationship and celebrity worship syndrome?
First, let’s define the term “parasocial relationship”
-Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships, where one person
extends emotional energy, interest and time, and the other party, the
persona, is completely unaware of the other’s existence. Media users
mostly form parasocial relationships with celebrities, live-action
fictional characters, social media influencers, animated characters, and
any other figure they encounter through media, including movies, TV
shows, podcasts, radio talk shows, or social media platforms, such as
Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok Although people consciously know that
parasocial relationships are not real relationships, in many ways they
feel psychologically real and meaningful.
-The idea of one-sided relationships was first coined in 1956 by Donald
Horton and Richard Wohl, depicted the imaginary relationship between
viewers and public figures. According to Horton & Wohl, parasocial
relationship is a result of parasocial interaction. This phenomena
happens when media users get interested in a well-known figure through
multi media. And when theses interactions repeat many times, they will
turn into parasocial relationship.
-TYPES OF PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS:

CAUSES:
some of the causes of parasocial relationships:

Loneliness: People who feel lonely may develop parasocial relationships

as a way to cope with their loneliness 3.
Attachment style: Attachment styles describe how people relate to others
and are thought to be influenced by how they bonded with their
caregivers when they were young. People with insecure attachment
styles may be more likely to form parasocial relationships 3.
Celebrity worship: People who engage in celebrity worship may form
parasocial relationships with celebrities 4.
Media exposure: People who are exposed to media frequently may be
more likely to form parasocial relationships 5.
( need shortening and replacing)

IMPACT
Parasocial relationships can have both positive and negative impacts on
individuals.
POSITIVE IMPACTS:
- Sense of belonging: Parasocial relationships can provide a sense of
belonging and community for individuals who may feel isolated or
lonely

-Self-esteem: Parasocial relationships can increase self-esteem by

allowing people to assimilate the characteristics of the media persona,
increasing self-efficacy, fostering a sense of belonging, boosting
perceived relational value, and providing people with a link to others
who share their parasocial relationship