10.4.5

Attachment Theory & Parasocial Relationships

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Roberts (2007) - Study on 200 Students

This study investigated relationship attachment style and fans' behaviour towards celebrities, in particular self-reports of attempts to approach celebrities.

Research method

Research method

  • Two hundred undergraduate students (100 male, 100 female) completed a questionnaire consisting of the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire (Fraley, Waller, & Brennan, 2000) and a scale measuring frequency of self-reported attempts to contact or approach a favourite celebrity.
Results 1

Results 1

  • Individuals with an insecure-resistant style of attachment were much more likely to report attempts to contact or approach celebrities and insecure-avoidant, and were much less likely to report such attempts.
Results 2

Results 2

  • Cole & Letts (1991) found individuals with an insecure-resistant attachment style were more likely to enter into parasocial relationships because they have a need for emotional closeness, but fear rejection.
  • Parasocial relationships allow an individual the appearance of intimacy and as the celebrity is probably unaware of the relationship, there is no risk of rejection.
Results 3

Results 3

  • Secure individuals can develop intimacy in two-way face-to-face relationships, so have less of a need for parasocial relationships
  • Insecure-avoidant types have difficulties trusting others and developing intimacy and so have a lower desire for both face-to-face and parasocial relationships.
Conclusion

Conclusion

  • These findings have implications for profiling individuals more likely to be involved in the stalking and harassment of celebrities.
Evaluation of **Roberts (2007)**

Evaluation of Roberts (2007)

  • Strengths
    • Questionnaires standardised - reliable.
  • Limitations
    • Lack of validity – demand characteristics and social desirability
    • McCutcheon (2006) found no relationship between childhood attachment patterns and mild forms of celebrity worship.
Jump to other topics
1

Social Influence

2

Memory

3

Attachment

4

(2026 Exams) Psychopathology

5

(2027 Exams) Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

6

Approaches in Psychology

7

Biopsychology

8

Research Methods

8.1

Research Methods

8.2

Scientific Processes

8.3

Data Handling & Analysis

8.4

Inferential Testing

9

Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

10

Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10.1

Relationships: Sexual Relationships (A2 only)

10.2

Relationships: Romantic Relationships (A2 only)

10.3

(2026 Exams) Relationships: Virtual (A2 only)

10.4

(2027 Exams) Relationships: Online (A2 only)

11

Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

12

Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

13

Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

14

Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

15

Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

16

Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

17

Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

18

Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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