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parasocial
Jan. 12th, 2024 07:31 amparasocial (par-uh-SOH-shuhl) - adj., of or relating to a one-sided perceived connection between an audience member and a mass-media performer, fictional character, or other public figure.
The common phrase is parasocial interaction, though parasocial relationship is also there. Originally coined in 1956 by American sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl (from Ancient Greek para-, beside/near + social, adjectival form of Latin socius, companion) to describe the imaginary interactions between the audience and TV variety show hosts, noting the “seeming face-to-face relationship” that viewers developed. With the expansion of mass-broadcast media, the mode of parasocial interactions have expanded. The personas of influencers are crafted to encourage parasocial relationships.
And that wraps up this week of psychology and psychology-adjacent words -- can anyone think of a good term for all these? Back next week (though not Monday, as I have the day off) with the usual random heap.
---L.
The common phrase is parasocial interaction, though parasocial relationship is also there. Originally coined in 1956 by American sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl (from Ancient Greek para-, beside/near + social, adjectival form of Latin socius, companion) to describe the imaginary interactions between the audience and TV variety show hosts, noting the “seeming face-to-face relationship” that viewers developed. With the expansion of mass-broadcast media, the mode of parasocial interactions have expanded. The personas of influencers are crafted to encourage parasocial relationships.
And that wraps up this week of psychology and psychology-adjacent words -- can anyone think of a good term for all these? Back next week (though not Monday, as I have the day off) with the usual random heap.
---L.
