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Dec 15, 2025

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Understanding Parasocial Relationships

user profile picture

Amy Breen @amybreen_ikkr

Ever wondered why some people become obsessed with celebrities or fictional characters? Parasocial relationships are one-sided connections we... Show more

Ainsworth identified insecure
resistant and avoidant attachment
was associated with unhealthy
emotional development

insecure resistant peop

Parasocial Relationships When Fans Go Too Far

Parasocial relationships are one-sided, unreciprocated connections with celebrities or media figures that feel real to us, even though the celebrity doesn't know we exist. Think about how invested you might feel in a YouTuber's life or how upset you'd be if your favourite TV character died.

Psychologists have identified three levels of celebrity worship that show how intense these relationships can become. Entertainment social is the mildest form - you simply enjoy discussing celebrities as entertainment with mates. Intense personal involves obsessive thoughts and deep emotional investment in a celebrity's life. Borderline pathological is the most extreme level, featuring delusional thinking and behaviours like stalking or spending loads of money on celebrity merchandise.

Attachment theory suggests these relationships stem from early childhood experiences with caregivers. According to Bowlby's research, people with insecure resistant attachment are most likely to form parasocial relationships because they have unfulfilled emotional needs. These one-sided relationships offer a safe way to feel connected without risking rejection.

Quick Tip Remember that insecure resistant types seek relationships evenonesidedoneseven one-sided ones, whilst insecure avoidant types tend to avoid relationships altogether, making them less likely to form parasocial bonds.

The absorption-addiction model explains how these relationships develop and intensify. It starts with absorption - using celebrity worship as an escape from reality and personal problems like low self-esteem. This can progress to addiction, where people need increasingly intense involvement to feel satisfied, potentially leading to extreme behaviours.

Research by McCutcheon using the Celebrity Attitude Scale found strong support for these levels, showing that people's celebrity worship behaviours can be predicted based on their attachment styles and personal deficiencies. However, the research relies heavily on correlational data, so we can't definitively prove that attachment issues cause parasocial relationships.

We thought you’d never ask...

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Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

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Psychology

287

Dec 15, 2025

1 page

Understanding Parasocial Relationships

user profile picture

Amy Breen

@amybreen_ikkr

Ever wondered why some people become obsessed with celebrities or fictional characters? Parasocial relationships are one-sided connections we form with media figures, and psychologists have developed fascinating theories to explain why we develop these bonds and how they might relate... Show more

Ainsworth identified insecure
resistant and avoidant attachment
was associated with unhealthy
emotional development

insecure resistant peop

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Parasocial Relationships: When Fans Go Too Far

Parasocial relationships are one-sided, unreciprocated connections with celebrities or media figures that feel real to us, even though the celebrity doesn't know we exist. Think about how invested you might feel in a YouTuber's life or how upset you'd be if your favourite TV character died.

Psychologists have identified three levels of celebrity worship that show how intense these relationships can become. Entertainment social is the mildest form - you simply enjoy discussing celebrities as entertainment with mates. Intense personal involves obsessive thoughts and deep emotional investment in a celebrity's life. Borderline pathological is the most extreme level, featuring delusional thinking and behaviours like stalking or spending loads of money on celebrity merchandise.

Attachment theory suggests these relationships stem from early childhood experiences with caregivers. According to Bowlby's research, people with insecure resistant attachment are most likely to form parasocial relationships because they have unfulfilled emotional needs. These one-sided relationships offer a safe way to feel connected without risking rejection.

Quick Tip: Remember that insecure resistant types seek relationships evenonesidedoneseven one-sided ones, whilst insecure avoidant types tend to avoid relationships altogether, making them less likely to form parasocial bonds.

The absorption-addiction model explains how these relationships develop and intensify. It starts with absorption - using celebrity worship as an escape from reality and personal problems like low self-esteem. This can progress to addiction, where people need increasingly intense involvement to feel satisfied, potentially leading to extreme behaviours.

Research by McCutcheon using the Celebrity Attitude Scale found strong support for these levels, showing that people's celebrity worship behaviours can be predicted based on their attachment styles and personal deficiencies. However, the research relies heavily on correlational data, so we can't definitively prove that attachment issues cause parasocial relationships.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

11

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

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Explore the key factors influencing partner selection in romantic relationships, including social demography, proximity, similarity, and complementarity. This summary highlights the Filter Theory and its implications for relationship dynamics, supported by research findings. Ideal for students studying interpersonal attraction and relationship psychology.

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Explore the influence of physical attractiveness on interpersonal attraction and romantic relationships. This summary covers key concepts such as the halo effect, matching hypothesis, and research findings on dating preferences. Understand how societal standards of beauty affect perceptions of competence and likability. Ideal for psychology students studying relationship dynamics.

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Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️

Thomas R

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Brad T

Android user

Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

Aubrey

iOS user

Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀

Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

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David K

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Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

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Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend

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Marco B

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!

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iOS user