Parasocial relationships -- the relationships that people have with media figures such as actors, celebrity influencers, or even television characters -- sometimes get a bad rap. But psychologists who study parasocial relationships say that they can be good for us: They can help us expand our world view and can have positive effects on our mental health and well-being. Researchers Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster, PhD, and Karen Dill-Shackleford, PhD, talk about how a parasocial relationship is different from fandom, whether these relationships give us any of the benefits of real-life friendship, and what happens when a parasocial relationship goes sour -- when your favorite character or your celebrity crush disappoints you?
For transcripts, links and more information, please visit the Speaking of Psychology Homepage.
How to learn from regret, with Robert Leahy, PhD
How to fail successfully, with Amy Edmondson, PhD, and Samuel West, PhD
Why diversity matters, with Robert Sellers, PhD
The benefits of being bilingual, with Viorica Marian, PhD
Encore - How to get unstuck with Adam Alter, PhD
Encore - Living a happy single life, with Geoff MacDonald, PhD
Why we learn best through play, with Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, PhD
Why we need hope, with Chan Hellman, PhD, and Jacqueline Mattis, PhD
Stopping the spread of misinformation, with Sander van der Linden, PhD
Treatment and recovery from serious mental illness, with Kim Mueser, PhD
How to have great conversations, with Charles Duhigg and Michael Yeomans, PhD
Caregiving as a source of stress and strength, with William Haley, PhD
OCD myths and realities, with Dean McKay, PhD, and Uma Chatterjee
Why do we love scary movies? with Coltan Scrivner, PhD
Why do we dream With Mark Blagrove PhD
How to help with math anxiety, with Molly Jameson, PhD
What’s the difference between guilt and shame? With June Tangney, PhD
Why are people drawn to extreme sports? With Eric Brymer, PhD
Why it’s important to talk about money, with Wendy De La Rosa, PhD
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
Short Wave
Stuff To Blow Your Mind
Unexplainable
The Horse First: A Veterinary Sport Horse Podcast