Parasocial Relationships: Connecting to the Stars

A Little Help For Our Friends

When our levels of Netflix binges get so intense, we end up spending more time with our favorite characters or celebrities than anyone else in our lives. The connections we have to these stars is called parasocial relationships. In this episode, we delve into parasocial relationships, why we need them and what they do for us. We also discuss how in the digital age, we have a window into the personal lives of our favorite celebrities, blurring the lines between our parasocial relationships and "real" relationships. Jacqueline also discusses the other side of parasocial relationships as a celebrity herself.
Resources:

• In Defense of Parasocial Relationships
• Gleason, T. R., Theran, S. A., & Newberg, E. M. (2017). Parasocial interactions and relationships in early adolescence. Frontiers in psychology, 8, 246529.

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Chapters

1. Understanding Parasocial Relationships (00:00:14)

2. Parasocial Relationships and Attachment Styles (00:07:58)

3. Parasocial Relationships and Role Models (00:16:15)

4. Navigating Celebrity and Fan Perceptions (00:26:33)

5. Impact of Parasocial Relationships on Society (00:36:49)

6. Celebrity Relationships and Parasocial Interactions (00:48:24)

7. Podcast Disclaimer Notice (00:57:18)