|
Abstract:
|
Parasocial interaction, or PSI, has been an area of interest for media scholars in
recent years. This phenomenon examines the way that an audience develops a connection
with characters that they see in the media. With the growth of reality television over the
past decade, research in PSI and reality television has not been fully explored. This
research attempts to examine if the use of certain structural features within reality
television, such as the use of direct address, can play a role in the way individuals
develop a parasocial relationship.
This study sought to determine if the use of direct address in reality television
programming helped foster PSI and identification more so than programs without direct
address. It also examined the relationships between media enjoyment and PSI as well as
identification and PSI. One hundred and eighteen participants completed an experiment
where they watched clips from a reality television show that altered the use of direct
address and then completed a questionnaire about what they watched.
Analysis of the data concluded that direct address did not significantly impact the
formation of PSI or identification. However, the formation of both PSI and identification
with a character on the show made enjoyment of the programming more likely. |