9.3.4

Attachment Theory & Parasocial Relationships

Test yourself

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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Conclusion

  • These findings have implications for profiling individuals more likely to be involved in the stalking and harassment of celebrities.
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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

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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