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While some research on parasocial relationships usually focuses on the friendly bonds between a user and a media character (a celebrity, an influencer, a fictional character, an anime character) or any other figure they encounter through media, series, movies, podcasts, TV shows, radio shows via social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram or TikTok, ...), let's discover together the hidden side of these relationships...

- A bit of explanation -

In 1956, an article published in the journal « Psychiatry » by Donald Horton and Richard Wohl, entitled « Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction : Observations on Intimacy at a Distance » opened the debate on the question of parasocial relationships.

Two distinct concepts are to be differentiated : interaction and parasocial relationship.

If when watching « Friends » we feel like we are part of the gang, spending time together at Central Perk, we are experiencing a parasocial interaction.

If we continue to think about one of the gang members after we finish an episode, or even refer to their behaviour in the show as if it were a real person, we have established a parasocial relationship with that character.

Furthermore, the concept of « Parasocial Connections » has been extended by psychologist Gayle Stever to include parasocial attachments. Based on the « attachment theory » initiated by Bowlby, which describes the deep bonds that form between caregivers and children. In our example, parasocial attachment occurs when a media figure becomes a source of comfort, providing a sense of security and peace.

Parasocial attachment, interactions and relationships, function in the same way as attachment in real life. Therefore, an important component of parasocial attachment is proximity seeking. However, instead of direct interaction, proximity in parasocial attachments is achieved through media means, such as watching and rewatching particular fictional characters in a movie or television show or following the social media accounts of media personalities.

- The depth -

Parasocial relationships begin when a user encounters a media character and gets to know them (like in the real). If the user is led to think about that character beyond the impression and interaction, this can lead to a parasocial relationship. In turn, parasociological relationships can be reinforced by other parasociological interactions, sometimes leading to a parasociological attachment.

Furthermore, if the parasocial relationship ends, either because the character dies, the show or series ends, or the user decides to disengage from the character, the user may experience this as a real break-up and need to grieve the relationship.

- The bond -

At first glance, it may seem strange that users form parasocial relationships, despite the lack of reciprocity, but it is important to remember that humans tend to pay close attention to the faces and voices of others. For centuries, the only faces and voices we regularly encountered were those of people in our daily lives. This changed in the early 20th century with the advent of radio and film. When television became commonplace, the number of faces and voices we could virtually interact with increased exponentially.

However, our brains never evolved to distinguish between the characters and people we see and hear in the media and those we see and hear in real life. Therefore, while psychological research has attempted to pathologize parasociological relationships, most researchers now agree that engaging in parasociological connections is normal. Furthermore, most people are aware that their relationships with media figures are not real, although this knowledge does not prevent them from reacting as if they were.

- The impact -

In a recent review of the literature, Liebers and Schramm found that if an individual has a parasocial relationship with a media figure, that figure can influence, both positively and negatively, his or her behaviour, beliefs, trust in various groups of people, attitudes toward stereotypes, public and political opinions, but also self-efficacy and sense of belonging. Showing so that parasocial relationships can impact users in several ways.

Finally, because friends and family can engage in parasocial relationships with the same media figure without jealousy, discussing these mutual parasocial relationships is a catalyst for real social relationships. This is how fan communities (fandoms, fan fiction, etc.) dedicated to artists, characters, and other media figures are born.

- Social media -

To date, the majority of studies on parasocial phenomena have focused on film and television, while new media have been the subject of less than one-fifth of investigations. Nevertheless, new media, and in particular social media, have certainly changed the nature of parasocial relationships. Of particular interest is whether the ability to communicate directly and be contacted by a media figure can make parasocial relationships more social.

It may be a matter of meeting a star after their concert or running into an actor while shopping, but the rise of social media has increased the likelihood that fans can access their favourite celebrities online. From this point on, Stever proposed that parasocial and social relationships should be viewed as operating on a continuum :

at the social end of the spectrum are the people we interact with regularly in our daily lives ;

at the parasocial end are the media characters we do not have access to, such as fictional characters or deceased artists ;

In between these two ends are the relationships with celebrities for whom we have the opportunity to interact in real life or online.

Researchers consider that, in these circumstances, the relationship between the fan and the artist is parasocial, because the user has no real direct access with the media figure, despite the social recognition of the latter. Nevertheless, following a media figure on social media can deepen the parasocial relationship.

Conclusions

Parasocial relationships are completely normal and can even have a positive impact on a person's well-being. However, parasocial relationships are best a supplement/an addition to someone's social relationships and social needs. While it's OK to have parasocial relationships, they shouldn't replace real-life relationships and interactions.

What do you think?