In this episode of Academic Ramblings, we explore how traditional parasocial relationships differ when discussed in the context of streaming.
Parasocial relationships is a term developed in the 1950s to describe the relationships we feel with TV personalities and can be used to understand the pseudo relationships we feel with celebrities, sports teams, and today, has become ever relevant to the relationships we, as viewers, have with live-streamers. However, parasocial relationships with streamers are unique as they are not classically one way as parasocial relationships of the past have been.
In the video we explore why this is the case, with special attention placed on factors such as wishful identification, emotional engagement, community affiliation, and fandom.