Parasocial Relationships: Fans, Followers & Pseudo Relationships

There are celebrities and online influencers who have thousands, sometimes millions of followers and fans. These people often feel they know the celebrity and may believe they are connected to them personally. This is called a parasocial relationship. It is a one-way relationship and it is widespread in our culture. How does this happen? How does it affect the fan? How does it feel to be on the other side as the one being followed?

Dick’s guest, Dr. Gayle S. Stever is Professor of Social and Behavioral Science at Empire State University of New York and has written three books on parasocial relationships.

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