Parasocial bonds
How strongly you bond with people you know only through a screen — creators, streamers, presenters, celebrities — from enjoying the work alone to a connection that feels like friendship.
One-sided bonds with media figures were first described as 'para-social relationships' by Horton & Wohl (1956), and the Parasocial Interaction Scale (Rubin, Perse & Powell, 1985) is a validated measure of their strength. Research treats these bonds as a normal, common part of media life — not a flaw — and this asks where you sit, with neither end labelled right. (Parasocial Interaction Scale (Rubin, Perse & Powell, 1985))
Dimensions
- Parasocial bond (Just the content – Feels like a friend) — Leaning high means a favourite creator or presenter feels like someone you know — you care how they're doing, notice when they're away, and value their take; leaning low means you enjoy what they make without feeling any personal connection to the person behind it.
References
- Horton, D., & Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance. Psychiatry
- Rubin, A. M., Perse, E. M., & Powell, R. A. (1985). Loneliness, Parasocial Interaction, and Local Television News Viewing. Human Communication Research
- Dibble, J. L., Hartmann, T., & Rosaen, S. F. (2016). Parasocial Interaction and Parasocial Relationship: Conceptual Clarification and a Critical Assessment of Measures. Human Communication Research
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