Parasocial Interactions and Relationships

We will be meeting at the Southeast Regional Library in Room C.

Have you ever known someone who felt connected to a celebrity—more than just a fan?

Parasocial interaction (PSI) refers to a kind of psychological relationship experienced by an audience in their mediated encounters with performers in mass media (Wikipedia). With the advent of social media, direct and rapid interactions with live streamers, influencers, and other types of celebrity personalities have become accesible to any person with a device. This new form of interaction has allowed for parasocial relationships to form rapidly and with increased intensity. There have been various instances of viewers of IRL (In Real Life) streams tracking down streamers and confronting them in real time. One of these instances involved Twitch streamers Valkyrie, Cinna, and Emiru being tracked down by a viewer who asks one of them for their phone number, is rejected, and then threatens to fight and kill them. While PSIs/relationships are not uncommon, nor necessarily dangerous, these instances raise concerns as to what social media has potentiated for this type of psychological connection.

In this discussion, we will explore the implications of social media’s influence on PSIs, why this phenomenon is more prevalent in modern-day society, and what it means for us.

Themes:
Psychological Drive for Connection
When do PSIs become unhealthy—potentially a substitute for real human interactions? What can be done to course-correct when they become unhealthy?

Social Media's Effects on PSI
How do you think live, instantaneous interactions have increased the potential for parasocial relationships?

Monetization of Belonging
Most, if not all, content creators attempt to monetize their viewership. How do you think this influences an individual's sense of connection with that person?