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The purpose of this study is to assess the degree of parasocial relationships, and parasocial breakups and how binge watching habits has an affect on the relationships.
Average PSR intensity was highest in Ted Lasso
Average PSR intensity was highest in Ted Lasso
Participants who surveyed for the study came out to a total of n=122. The number was then narrowed down when participants had to pass each screening of the study, coming in at n=79. Each participant was then asked to answer a likert style series of questions regarding their respective characters that were chosen in their version of the survey. The number of questions consisted of 13, and each of their answers for this series would factor into their degree of parasocial relationship according to the EPSI scale (Cohen, 2003). A perfect score for the EPSI scale in this study would be a sum of 26 points. An above average score for a participant to be classified as a positive , strong parasocial relationship, the score would have to be higher than 13, accounting for half of the number 26. The average PSR for each of the selected shows are displayed, with Ted Lasso having the highest average at 16.1. The highest parasocial relationship in this instance being 21. Only 4 shows had a negative parasocial relationship with their character in the show that they chose.
Average PSR intensity was highest in median hours of viewing
Average PSR intensity was highest in median hours of viewing
Table 3 demonstrates the total averages of each participant's response in accordance with their binge watching hours per week. The parasocial relationship is strongest for participants who answered “16-20 hours”, “6-10 hours”, and “11-15 hours”. On the other hand, the PSR is weakest for those who answered “21 or more hours” or “1-5 hours”. These findings provide data for research question 1 assessing the relationship between binge watching and parasocial relationships. H1 states that “There is a relationship between binge watching and parasocial breakup intensity”, which is supported by these findings, however the relationship between the two may not be the one that was predicted.
PSB was analyzed in comparison to binge watching habits
PSB was analyzed in comparison to binge watching habits
Table 4 takes into account the answer to the question that asks, “When (character died or the show ended) do you feel as if your emotions were diminished the next time you watched the show?” This question is used as a basis for measuring the parasocial breakup, as people who answer “somewhat agree”, or “strongly agree” are classified as a stronger parasocial breakup. Participants who answered “disagree”, are classified for having a low parasocial breakup intensity. The totals for the number of participants who answered each question can be seen listed to the right (n=79). The binge watchers who had the highest percentage of parasocial breakup as well as the highest number of people who answered so were people who watched between 6-10 hours, and 11-15 hours per week. This is the midpoint of the variance of answers for binge watching, and similar findings can be seen in table 3.
Males had a stronger connection to female characters.
Males had a stronger connection to female characters.
Table 6 demonstrates what participants answered to the question of “How happy or sad were you when (character) died or was lost?”. The participants who answered “somewhat sad” and “extremely sad” have a higher degree of parasocial breakup than people who answer “neither”, or “happy”. It can be observed that males have a higher parasocial breakup with their favorite characters as their percentages for sadness (73%) are much higher than the females (49.9%).
PSR towards female character was low.
PSR towards female character was low.
Table 7 portrays the counterpart of table 6. Instead of similar genders, opposite genders are now accounted for. It can be seen that the number for males who chose females is extremely low (n=1) and can be categorized as a form of a limitation, as well as something to note for findings. Comparing numbers with table 6, table 7 shows that females had a stronger parasocial breakup with male characters than they did with female characters (74% to 49.9%). As seen in table 5, more females also chose males than they did female characters (n=27, n=12).
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