Parasocial Relationships (AQA A Level Psychology): Exam Questions

Researchers wished to study the link between attachment and parasocial relationships. They surveyed a stratified sample of 100 18-year-old students from four different schools.

Some schools had a large number of students and others had a smaller number of students. The students were asked questions about their childhood, their feelings towards celebrities and about their friendships at school.

Explain how the researchers could have obtained a stratified sample from the four different schools.

At the end of the survey, researchers wished to treat the students ethically. They used the following statement in their debriefing: ‘Thank you for taking part in the survey. Your data will be very useful. Have you any questions?’

Suggest two additional points that could be added to the debriefing statement to better ensure ethical treatment of the students.

Outline and evaluate the absorption addiction model of parasocial relationships.

Discuss what psychological research has told us about why people develop parasocial relationships.

Researchers wished to study the link between attachment and parasocial relationships. They surveyed a stratified sample of 100 18-year-old students from four different schools.

Some schools had a large number of students and others had a smaller number of students. The students were asked questions about their childhood, their feelings towards celebrities and about their friendships at school.

Discuss the attachment theory explanation for parasocial relationships. Refer to the likely findings of the study above in your answer.

Explain two limitations of the absorption addiction model of parasocial relationships.