Investigating Bias Toward People with Parasocial Relationships

Scherer, Hailey and Iannone, Nicole Investigating Bias Toward People with Parasocial Relationships. 2022. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.

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Abstract

The present study examined the potential biases that might exist toward individuals who have parasocial relationships (PSRs), which are defined as one-sided relationships with media figures. Alongside biases, we also examined other perceptions of these individuals, such as competence and warmth, social, physical, and task attraction, and behavioral intentions. Additionally, the present study tested whether any of these perceptions would be influenced by an individual’s own self-identification of having a PSR. This was examined by presenting participants (N = 202) with vignettes that were about either an individual with a real-life friend or an individual with a PSR. After reading the vignettes, participants were asked to answer questions assessing their perceptions of the individual they read about. Results showed that individuals with PSRs were viewed as less socially attractive. Results also showed that there was a significant interaction of condition and self-identification of having a PSR on ratings of competence and warmth, social and task attractiveness, and on behavioral intentions such that those with PSRs gave higher, more positive ratings toward those with PSRs. These findings suggest there is bias toward individuals with PSRs; however, self-identifying as having a PSR can reduce this bias and be related to more positive views toward others with PSRs.

Item Type:	Thesis
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Radford University > College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences > Department of Psychology
Date Deposited:	11 Jul 2022 16:08
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2024 21:26
URI:	http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/854

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