Definition
Relating to a one-sided relationship where one party (often an audience member or fan) invests emotional energy and feels a sense of intimacy, while the other party (celebrity, influencer, or character) has no reciprocal awareness. The relationship exists primarily in the mind of the invested party.
Example Usage
He had a parasocial connection to the actor, believing they were personally connected despite never meeting.
Origin
Coined by researchers Horton and Wohl in 1956 to describe audience-media figure relationships; popularized in discussions of celebrity culture and fandom.
Fun Fact
Social media and streaming platforms have intensified parasocial relationships by creating the illusion of direct, personal connection between fans and creators.
Related Terms
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See “parasocial” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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