Attachment theory and PSR Eval Flashcards
(16 cards)
Describe the Attachment Theory Explanation of Parasocial Relationships
It is a two-way process that endures over time.
Can lead to certain behaviours such as clinging and proximity-seeking.
PSRs may function similarly to ‘real-life’ relationships in terms of attachment behaviours.
People with childhood attachment problems form PSRs to meet their need for attachment/affection.
What is proximity seeking
Individuals attempt to reduce the distance between themselves and their
attachment figure.
For example, people like to stay informed about their favourite celebrities, will rearrange schedules to see them on TV/gigs and will even attempt to contact them through fan
letters or in person.
What is Secure base
The presence of the attachment figure provides a sense of security for the individual, a ‘safe base’ that allows them to explore the world.
With a PSR there is little or no chance of rejection from the attachment figure, the individual can create a secure base from which they can explore other relationships in a safe way
What is the protest at disruption
A clear marker of an attachment may be the presence of distress
following separation or loss of the attachment figure.
Describe the insecure resistant attachment in PSR
Results in individuals who hold a more negative view of themselves.
They have a need for close emotional relationships, but ones in which there is reduced risk of rejection.
These individuals turn to TV characters as a means of satisfying their often-unmet relational needs. The pain and disappointment that real life relationships can bring is avoided.
Describe the insecure avoidant attachment in PSR
These individuals are less likely to enter PSRs as they find it difficult to develop intimate relationships and therefore are less like to seek real or PSRs
Describe the secure attachment in PSR
Individuals who report happy/secure childhood would have positive relationships with friends.
They would be less interested in celebrities because they do not have an unfulfilled need for attachment.
What are strengths of the Attachment theory explanation of PSR
Supporting evidence
Universal explanation
Evaluate supporting evidence as a strength of the Attachment theory explanation of PSR
P: Supporting evidence.
E: Cohen (2004) carried out a study to investigate whether viewers would show the same
negative response to the loss of a PSR as they would to the loss of a real relationship. In an
Israeli study a sample of 381 adults answered questions about how they would react if their favourite TV characters were taken off air and questions about their attachment style. They found that viewers expecting to lose their favourite characters anticipated negative reactions (feelings of sadness, anger, and loneliness) like those experienced after the loss of close personal relationships. These reactions were related to the intensity of the PSR with their favourite character. This study also supported the important influence of attachment style, with anxious-ambivalent (insecure-resistant) participants anticipating the most negative responses.
E: This is a strength as it supports the theory that attachment style influences the likelihood of forming PSRs.
Therefore, adding validity to the theory
Evaluate that its a universal explanation as a strength of the Attachment theory explanation of PSR
P: A strength of attachment theory is that it can explain why people all over the world have a
desire to form PSRs.
E: Dinkha et al (2015) compared two contrasting cultures – a collectivist one (Kuwait) and an
individualist one (USA). The researchers found that people with an insecure attachment type were most likely to form intense PSRs with TV personality and characters. This was true in
both types of culture. In other words, the ‘driver’ for forming a PSR is independent from
cultural influence. Schmidd and Klimmt (2011) investigated whether there would be
differences in the PSRs formed with the fictional character Harry Potter in two contrasting
cultures. They studied Germany (an individualistic culture) and Mexico (a collectivist culture).
Despite the differences between these cultures, the researchers found fans from Mexico and
fans from Germany displayed very similar patterns of PSRs with Harry Potter and other
characters in the franchise.
E: This is a strength because it supports the view that attachment type may be a universal explanation for the need to form PSRs since insecure attachments of some type can be argued to be a universal phenomenon. Therefore, there is supporting evidence to add validity to the attachment theory explanation of PSRs.
Counterargument: However, McCutcheon (2006) measured attachment types and
celebrity-related attitudes in 299 American participants. They found that participants with
insecure attachments were no more likely to form PSRs than those with secure attachments
– but this only looked at one collectivist culture.
What is a strength of Parasocial relationships
practical applications
What are limitations of Parasocial relationships
may cause loneliness
relies on self report data
Evaluate practical applications as a strength of PSR’s
P: Practical applications for the treatment of stalking.
E: Suggested treatments include psychotherapy to address underlying causes, with a role also for drug treatments, to reduce obsessive tendencies.
E: This is a strength because this use of research into PSRs is clearly of great value to those
on the receiving end of such extreme behaviour as well as to the stalkers themselves. Therefore, if research into PSRs leads to the formation of effective therapies, this
strengthens the validity of the theory.
Evaluate that PSR may cause loneliness as a limitation
P: Can lead to further feeling of loneliness for those who already have attachment issues.
E: Individuals develop PSRs as a way of dealing with loneliness or loss, as a safe way of
exploring emotions and fulfilling attachments. However, Eyal and Cohen (2006) also found
evidence that PSRs can also lead to loneliness following a parasocial ‘breakup’. In a sample
of 279 students who were fans of the TV series ‘Friends’, the intensity of their PSR with their
favourite character was the strongest predictor of their feelings of loneliness following the broadcast of the final episode.
E: This is a limitation of PSRS as PSRs not only compensate for feelings of loneliness, but their
loss can also create feelings of loneliness.
L: Therefore, PSRs should not be explained as a substitute for ‘real’ social relationships as they
can cause a significant amount of emotional harm in themselves.
Evaluate the reliance on self report data as a limitation of PSR
P: Relies upon self-report data, typically acquired using (online) questionnaires.
E: These are subject to several effects which can bias the findings. For example, participants may under-report their behaviour either due to denial, shame, or a genuine memory lapse. They could over-report their behaviour, there is often competition between fans of celebrities to see who the most dedicated fan is. They could respond to the questions in a socially desirable way, a way which they feel with enhance their social status.
E: This is a limitation because using a subjective method such as self-report can lead to an
under or over exaggeration of behaviours. Since PSR research is based on the findings from self-report methods its validity
is questionable.
