Parasocial relationships: levels of parasocial relationships
A parasocial relationship is a one-sided bond a person feels with a celebrity. Researchers identify three levels of intensity, ranging from casual interest to obsessive, potentially harmful fixation.
Real World
A teenager who watches every Taylor Swift concert livestream, follows fan accounts, and feels genuinely upset when Swift is criticised sits at the intense-personal level of the Celebrity Attitude Scale — they feel a real emotional connection despite never having met her.
Exam Focus
Use the three CAS levels as an evaluative structure — describe each level and give a distinct behavioural example for each.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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