A team of developmental psychologists conducted a study to investigate the relationship between childhood attachment type and the intensity of parasocial relationships in young adulthood. A sample of 300 university students completed a retrospective attachment style questionnaire to classify them into one of three attachment groups. They also completed a Parasocial Interaction (PSI) Scale to measure the strength of their feelings toward their favorite social media influencer (with scores ranging from 10 to 50, where higher scores indicate a stronger parasocial bond).
The mean scores for each group are shown in the table below:
| Childhood Attachment Classification | Mean Parasocial Interaction (PSI) Score |
|---|---|
| Insecure-Resistant | 42.4 |
| Secure | 21.1 |
| Insecure-Avoidant | 13.8 |
Discuss the attachment theory explanation of parasocial relationships. Refer to the findings of the study described above in your answer.
16 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Parasocial relationships. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.