Document Type
Social Sciences
Date
2024
Submission Date
January 2024
Abstract
Just as people can form relationships with each other, they can befriend and interact with characters. As broadening media outlets continue to introduce fictional characters, it is vital to understand the effects relationships with characters, referred to as parasocial phenomena, have on individuals. In turn, this will offer a new perspective on the effects of engaging with fiction. Bonding with fictional characters introduced through television or print narratives affects and interplays with the psychology and social behaviors of adults. Most studies support the positive effects of parasocial phenomena in terms of personality, mindset, and social skills. Other studies state that the repercussions of parasocial breakups outweigh its advantages. Some researchers believe parasociality is negative throughout the interaction, such as when readers engage with immoral or alienating content. Although many dispute or minimize the impact of engaging with fictional narratives and characters, forming relationships with characters positively affects people’s behavior and disposition. These effects are evident through personality changes and prosocial participation in viewers and readers. Specific attributes of both people and characters mediate these effects, such as personality traits and motives. The topic is further complicated by dimensions such as content, but overall, parasociality positively affects readers and viewers during and after interacting with the characters. Content creators and readers should keep this strong connection and the magnitude of its influence in mind when engaging with fictional narratives. Discovering what narrative conditions maximize the positive effects of parasociality should be a priority for future research.
Rights
© The Author(s)
Is Part Of
Auctus
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25886/0zfc-da38