Attachment Theory & Parasocial Relationships
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 9.3.5
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- These findings have implications for profiling individuals more likely to be involved in the stalking and harassment of celebrities.
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.
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What did the questionnaire in Roberts' (2007) consist of?