Parasocial relationships are imaginary or illusory connections that people establish with fictional characters or celebrities, without there being a real or direct interaction. These types of relationships are an interesting phenomenon that has developed as a consequence of the emergence of mass media, which can give the illusion of having a close and even intimate relationship with the celebrity who appears on screen.
These relationships often feel as real as personal relationships and can have a significant impact on the life of the person experiencing them. Parasocial relationships can have different forms and degrees of intensity. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain in detail What are parasocial relationships, causes and effects.
What are parasocial relationships?
Parasocial relationships are those relationships that a person establishes with fictional characters or celebrities through media, such as cinema, television or social networks. These relationships can be as intense as the relationships a person has with real people, and can include feelings of admiration, affection, and even commitment. Generally, parasocial relationships are formed through recurring and prolonged exposure to a character or celebrity through the media.
The main characteristic in the experience of a parasocial relationship obviously lies in the lack of effective reciprocity, since there is no real interaction between the viewer and the celebrity. The interaction is unilateral, there is no direct dialogue between both parties and the relationship cannot develop.
Origin of parasocial relationships
The term “parasocial relationship” was coined by American psychologist Donald Horton and Canadian sociologist Richard Wohl in 1956.1 These researchers described parasocial relationships as a form of social interaction through mass media in which people interact with fictional characters or celebrities as if they were a couple, friends or family members.
Horton and Wohl noted that through television and other media, people could feel a feeling of intimacy with fictional characters or celebrities despite the physical distance and the absence of direct interaction due to the recurring exposure and the one-way relationship established between the audience and the celebrities.
Therefore, parasocial relationships have existed since the invention of mass media such as, for example, television, radio and cinema. Since then, the study of parasocial relationships has become an important field of research in psychology, sociology, and media studies, and it has been found that these relationships can have a significant impact on people’s lives, from their mental health and emotional well-being to your behavior and decisions.
How long does a parasocial relationship last?
The duration of a parasocial relationship can vary widely. Some people may have short-term parasocial relationships, while others may have parasocial relationships that last several years or even a lifetime. Factors that can influence duration include the frequency and intensity of exposure to a character or celebrity, as well as individual factors such as personality, the need to establish romantic connections, the excessive use of television and social networks and the, among others.
It is important to mention that parasocial relationships are a complex phenomenon and their development cannot be explained solely through a single factor or variable. parasocial relationships can develop in anyone who has access to media in which celebrities or famous people appear, whether real or fictitious.
In some cases, parasocial relationships can be strong and long-lasting, even after the character or celebrity disappears from the media. In other cases, these relationships may be short-lived and fade when exposure to a character or celebrity decreases.
Causes of parasocial relationships
There are several causes that can contribute to the development of parasocial relationships. Some of the most common causes include:
- Recurring exhibition: This type of exposure to a character or celebrity through the media can lead to the formation of a parasocial relationship between the person on the other side of the screen and the celebrity. Therefore, the more you see or hear the character, real or fictional, the more likely it will be that a parasocial relationship will be established.
- ID: People can establish parasocial relationships with characters or celebrities with whom they identify. For example, a person who feels socially isolated may establish a parasocial relationship with a lonely character in a television series.
- Needs projection: People can project their own desires, needs, and goals onto a character or celebrity, which can contribute to the development of a parasocial relationship. For example, a person who wants to be famous may establish a parasocial relationship with a celebrity who has achieved worldwide success and fame. In this article you will find more information about .
- Need for social connections: People who feel lonely or socially isolated are more likely to establish parasocial relationships. Therefore, the need for social connection and isolation are important factors that contribute to the development of parasocial relationships.
- PersonalitySome research suggests that certain personality traits make certain people more likely to develop parasocial relationships. These factors include loneliness, the need for social acceptance, low self-esteem, extraversion, and . Furthermore, people with a greater tendency to idealize and admire others may also be more predisposed to developing parasocial relationships.
It is important to mention that these causes are not exclusive, since several factors can influence the development of a parasocial relationship.
Consequences of parasocial relationships
Parasocial relationships can have various consequences, both positive and negative. Below, we mention the most important ones:
- Emotional satisfaction: Parasocial relationships can provide a sense of emotional satisfaction, as people can find entertainment, inspiration, admiration, or escapism through their connection with fictional characters or celebrities. This can help improve mood and provide happiness.
- Identification and sense of belonging: Parasocial relationships can allow people to identify with public figures or personalities, which can generate a sense of belonging to a community of fans. Feeling part of a group that shares similar interests can provide a sense of camaraderie and social connection.
- Inspiration and motivation: Parasocial relationships can serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for individuals. Watching fictional characters or celebrities overcome obstacles, achieve success, or face challenges can influence the way people view their own goals and challenges, and can be a source of motivation to achieve their own goals.
- Difficulties in real relationships: A negative consequence of intense parasocial relationships is that they can affect real interpersonal relationships. If a person invests a lot of time and energy in a parasocial relationship, he may neglect close personal relationships and have difficulty establishing real connections with other people.
- Emotional dependence: In some cases, parasocial relationships can become obsessive or generate a . People may become dependent on the presence or attention of a fictional character or celebrity to satisfy their emotional needs, which can be detrimental to their overall well-being.
- Disappointment and disappointment: When expectations of a character or celebrity are not met or negative aspects of them are discovered, people can experience disappointment and disappointment. This can lead to feelings of sadness, betrayal, or loss of trust in the parasocial relationship.
It is important to highlight that parasocial relationships are different from traditional social relationships based on personal and direct interaction. Although they may satisfy some emotional needs, They should not replace interpersonal relationships and real social aspects in a person’s life, since the latter are fundamental for well-being and mental health.
Examples of parasocial relationships
Discover some examples of parasocial relationships below:
- Music band fans: a person who has great admiration and affection for a famous singer, and follows their concerts and news on social networks.
- celebrity admirers: people who identify with a character from a television series and feel close to them, despite not knowing them in person.
- Devotees of fictional characters: a viewer who feels deeply emotionally connected to a character in a film and becomes sad when the film ends.
- Admirers of famous athletes: a fan of a football team who has a great passion for the team and feels emotionally connected to their favorite player.
- Followers of social media influencers: a person who spends a lot of time on social media and follows influencers, is up to date with all her posts and watches all her Instagram stories, he comes to feel like he really knows her and they are friends. Another type can be gamer that feels represented by the main character of a video game and feels like you are playing alongside him.
However, it is important to mention that these examples are just a few and there are as many and diverse examples of parasocial relationships as there are spectators.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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References
- Horton, D., & Richard Wohl, R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215-229.
Bibliography
- Giles, D. C. (2002). Parasocial interaction: A review of the literature and a model for future research. Media psychology, 4(3), 279-305
- Rubin, R.B., & McHugh, M.P. (1987). Development of parasocial interaction relationships.