parasocial interaction

Meaning

A one-sided relationship where an individual feels a strong sense of intimacy, friendship, or connection with a media figure, celebrity, or online content creator who does not know they exist. It is highly common in the age of streaming, vlogging, and social media.

Examples

• Many Twitch viewers develop a strong parasocial interaction with streamers because of the live, interactive format.

  Many Twitch viewers develop a strong parasocial interaction with streamers because of the live, interactive format.

• When the famous YouTuber announced her retirement, fans felt a genuine sense of grief due to years of parasocial interaction.

  When the famous YouTuber announced her retirement, fans felt a genuine sense of grief due to years of parasocial interaction.

• It's important to recognize that a parasocial interaction is not a substitute for real-life friendships.

  It's important to recognize that a parasocial interaction is not a substitute for real-life friendships.

• Podcasts are particularly good at fostering parasocial interaction because the hosts speak directly into your ears for hours.

  Podcasts are particularly good at fostering parasocial interaction because the hosts speak directly into your ears for hours.

• Social media platforms actively profit from encouraging parasocial interaction between influencers and their followers.

  Social media platforms actively profit from encouraging parasocial interaction between influencers and their followers.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a parasocial interaction relationship with that singer.

  ✓ I have a parasocial relationship with that singer.

  Using 'interaction' and 'relationship' together in this way is redundant. Use either 'parasocial interaction' or 'parasocial relationship'.

• ✗ We had a mutual parasocial interaction.

  ✓ I experienced a parasocial interaction with them.

  A parasocial interaction is by definition one-sided, so it cannot be 'mutual'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Because he watches her daily vlogs, he has developed a deep ___ with the influencer.

  💡 A two-word formal/slang term for a one-sided psychological bond with a media figure.

  Show answer

  parasocial interaction

• The rise of TikTok has made ___ far more common among teenagers.

  💡 The noun phrase starting with 'p'.

  Show answer

  parasocial interaction