What are PSRs?

Parasocial Relationship are non-reciprocated or one way relationships. One side spends time, energy, and money to watch, follow, keep up with the other side. The other side does not know this devoted person exists.

We all have parasocial relationships. It could be with a sports teams, favorite singers, actresses, fictional characters, or TV personalities. 

Why do we form PSRs?

There are SO many different reasons why!

Initially, people engage with media figures without expecting a relationship, but over time, it can easily transition into a parasocial relationship if someone keeps engaging in similar content.

While some see parasocial relationships as a sign of social isolation, they are also common among individuals with strong real-life connections, as their relationship-building tendencies can extend to celebrities in the media they consume.

Albert Bandura suggested that human behavior is learned from our environment through the process of observation. Celebrities can act as role models, so therefore people want to imitate their behavior and keep up with them.

Some fans view a celebrity as an important friendship or hobby. Fans gravitate towards celebrities who they feel represent them and symbolize their social identity.