AO3 lvls parasocial and absorption addiction model Flashcards
(10 cards)
Who conducted research to support the absorption addiction model of parasocial relationships?
Maltby et al
What did Maltby et al study?
They studied adolescents aged 14-16 with poor body image to see if this predisposed the teenagers to forming pparasocial relationships
What did Maltby et al find?
They found that female adolescents with poor body image formed intense-personal parasocial relationships with a female celebrity whose body they admired
Why does Maltby et al’s study support the absorption addiction model?
This supports the existence of levels of parasocial relationships and the idea of the absorption addiction model that a deficiency/poor mental health can predict the level/intensity of parasocial relationships
What can much of the research into parasocial relationships be criticised for?
It is based on correlational research e.g Maltby et al
Why is much of the research being correlation a limitation?
It is a limitation because a cause and effect relationship cannot be established between poorer psychological health and the level/intensity of parasocial relationships
What could be an example for a different relationship due to cause and effect not being established?
It could be that the borderline pathological parasocial involvement has caused the poor psychological health, rather than the other way round
What could be an alternative explanation to the formation of parasocial relationships?
The attachment theory
What does the alternative explanation of attachment theory suggest?
It suggests that an individual with an insecure resistant attachment type is more likely to form a parasocial relationship due to fear of rejection
What does the absorption addiction model suggest?
It suggests that parasocial relationships are formed due to poor psychological health and an individual’s need for a sense of purpose
