I am skeptical that there is any profound scientific value in the term "parasocial interaction".
To judge from the origin of the term,[0] we are calling a "parasocial relationship" the phenomenon of mass conditioning of consumers by controlled media. There is enough clear evidence of a state's ability to affect public discourse by controlling entertainment (and news) media.[1]
Although people may be inclined to credulity or at least some basic level of cooperation, most people can see when they are being duped in a tangible way.
There are extreme cases, which the article calls, "extreme parasocial behaviour".
Other terms exist to describe a person who believes things that are not real, highly improbable, or hallucinatory. And in the marketplace, there is caveat emptor, the complete phrase being,
"Let a purchaser beware, for he ought not to be ignorant of the nature of the property which he is buying from another party."[2]
[0] > Evolution of the term
> Parasocial interaction was first described from the perspective of media and communication studies. In 1956, Horton and Wohl explored the different interactions between mass media users and media figures and determined the existence of a parasocial relationship (PSR), where the user acts as though they are involved in a typical social relationship.
To judge from the origin of the term,[0] we are calling a "parasocial relationship" the phenomenon of mass conditioning of consumers by controlled media. There is enough clear evidence of a state's ability to affect public discourse by controlling entertainment (and news) media.[1]
Although people may be inclined to credulity or at least some basic level of cooperation, most people can see when they are being duped in a tangible way.
There are extreme cases, which the article calls, "extreme parasocial behaviour".
Other terms exist to describe a person who believes things that are not real, highly improbable, or hallucinatory. And in the marketplace, there is caveat emptor, the complete phrase being,
"Let a purchaser beware, for he ought not to be ignorant of the nature of the property which he is buying from another party."[2]
[0] > Evolution of the term > Parasocial interaction was first described from the perspective of media and communication studies. In 1956, Horton and Wohl explored the different interactions between mass media users and media figures and determined the existence of a parasocial relationship (PSR), where the user acts as though they are involved in a typical social relationship.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing_Consent
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caveat_emptor