The chapter offers a conceptual definition of parasocial relationships as a distinct construct,
and it explores its theoretical relationship to other related phenomena. It defines various�…

Past research and anecdotal evidence suggests that many audience members are exposed
to media figures they dislike. However, their relationships with these media figures are not�…

To understand the mass media communication process, especially regarding television, the
concepts of parasocial interaction and parasocial relationship should be examined�…

The term parasocial relationship generally refers to a one‐sided relationship that a media
consumer forms with a media figure. The termination of this relationship is called a�…

Despite being initially defined as a complementary extension of social life, parasocial
relationships (PSRs)—imagined intimacies that audiences develop with media figures�…

This chapter discusses how media users cope with challenges to their parasocial
relationships (PSRs) and PSR termination. One of the most striking characteristics of modern�…

Parasocial interaction (PSI) is a term that originated with Horton and Wohl (1956) to describe
the nonreciprocated manner in which audience members interact with media personae�…

The affective and emotional engagement that audiences have with media figures has been
studied in media psychology under the broad category of parasocial interaction. First coined�…

Parasocial interaction is the degree to which a media consumer perceives he or she has
developed a social relationship with a media character. It is an affective relationship of�…

Parasocial-relationships (PSR) are viewers' imaginary relationships with media personae.
Despite the growing body of research on PSR, the field is still lacking a clear�…