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This study reports a quasi-experiment ( N= 374) that examined an underlying mechanism through which narratives can facilitate personalization of risk. The participants were exposed to one of four entertainment clips depicting an at-risk character who either tested positive or negative for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). As predicted, reduction of perceived social distance to an at-risk character resulted in a convergence of perceived self- and character-risk. More importantly, the convergence of risk was driven by an increased perception of self-risk, as opposed to a reduction of character-risk. The observed pattern of risk convergence was much more pronounced in the negative rather than the positive STD test narratives. Furthermore, narrative engagement through identification, parasocial interaction, and perceived realism led to a greater degree of risk convergence, which was mediated by reduction in perceived social distance. The order in which the subjects estimated self- and character-risk did not influence the perceptual gap.

China is a populous country and its growing elderly population is pushing the whole country into the maelstrom of an aging society. The media practices and media interactions of empty-nesters have gradually become a real issue that is affecting the deepening transformation of Chinese society given the dual concerns of aging and mediatization. This study conducted in-depth interviews with 23 empty-nesters, chosen using the snowball sampling method combined with participant observation, to obtain their habits and behaviors related to social media use so to analyze the impact of media interactions on their daily life and social networks from a mediatized perspective. The availability of social media was found to influence their media use habits in four dimensions—technical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral—in the face of the digital divide, media memory writing, the construction of parasocial relationships, and embodied collaboration. These influences not only shaped and promoted the socialization of empty-nesters on social media networks but also extended to their daily life, as these influences enhanced both their mental and physical quality of life in old age.

Focusing on the often neglected individual modes of consumption and ascriptions of meaning, I propose a theoretical and conceptual framework for the analysis of the diversity of the use and appropriation of the boys' love (BL) genre. Within the framework of theories of media gratification, I bring together key elements of BL fandom, such as playing with masculinities, and central concepts of entertainment research. To assess these concepts' appropriateness and to do justice to the transnational phenomenon that BL has become, I also consider qualitative interviews conducted in Japan and Germany. The gratifications sought and gained by BL fans (fujoshi and fudanshi, rotten girls and boys) vary, including the physiological (arousal), the social (exchange, belonging), the cognitive (parasocial interaction), and the aesthetic (immersion). My empirical findings highlight the diversity of BL use, while my conceptual framework additionally works as a reference for a comparison of these use patterns and other media preferences as well as global trends of media consumption. (ORCID: 0000-0002-8585-9177)

In times of increasing individualism when many traditional socialization institutions lose their primary role and influence, television series characters have become new role models that people can identify with. Modern television production is inclined to portray protagonists as antiheroes because viewers are more engaged and intrigued by them compared to the traditional protagonists. Series often break the so-called "fourth wall" in a way of transcending boundaries between virtual and real life, talking directly to the viewers, thus creating parasocial interaction. According to the transportation theory of persuasion, the greater the emotional bond with the characters, the higher the possibility for the viewers to "transport" within the narrative. This phenomenon can be particularly noticed in the political drama House of Cards, where the Machiavellian politician Frank Underwood persuades both characters in the story and the viewers in order to achieve some of his personal goals. The aim of this paper is to highlight the methods of persuasion and manipulation used by the protagonist in order to recognize how he wants to persuade us and recognize what his underlying goals are.

Social media influencers promote not only products and brands but also their opinions on serious topics like party politics or climate change. These so-called digital opinion leaders may exert a powerful impact on their followers' political attitudes. Accordingly, we explore new directions to explain how influencers' communication is related to political outcomes by proposing the concept of perceived simplification of politics (PSP). We argue that PSP may fuel political cynicism but also stimulate youth's interest in politics. We also explore important boundary conditions of these associations. We use data from three studies, a two-wave panel survey of adolescents ( NT2 = 294), a cross-sectional survey of young adults ( N = 632), and a two-wave panel survey of young adults ( NT2 = 496) in Germany between 2019 and 2020. Findings of all three studies show that the frequency of exposure to social media influencers' content increases PSP. In Studies 1 and 2, PSP is related to higher political cynicism, while in Study 3, this relationship is restricted to influencers' communication about environmental topics and gender equality. Furthermore, Studies 2 and 3 suggest that PSP also increases political interest—yet this association requires a certain level of parasocial interaction (PSI) with the influencer and is contingent on specific political topics.

Purpose
This study aims to gain insights into the rise of virtual social media influencers and identify the significant theories governing virtual influencers' (VIs) interaction with followers on social media platforms. Studies on VI being scarce in marketing literature, the authors attempt to propose a theoretical model to understand the acceptance of VIs by social media users (SMUs).


Design/methodology/approach
Using a structured literature review and a case study approach, a conceptual model is developed and propositions are offered.


Findings
Parasocial interaction (PSI) between the SMU and VIs builds up source credibility, thereby leading to the acceptance of VIs. Thus, the authors establish that PSI and source credibility theory combine to explain the acceptance of VIs by SMUs. Furthermore, similarity with the VI is another added dimension of source credibility, as suggested by this study. A comparative analysis of the growth of five major VIs elucidates that the fashion, electronic, tourism and health-care industries can use them for promotions and as influencers, especially for luxury products.


Research limitations/implications
VIs are a potent tool to achieve improved brand awareness and to target young consumers (especially Gen Y and Gen Z – millennials).


Originality/value
The emergence of VIs being recent; little is comprehended about their interaction with SMUs. Hence, it becomes important to delineate the foundations of VI–SMU interaction. Thus, this study addresses the gap in identifying the theoretical background and proposes a conceptual model elucidating VI acceptance by SMUs.

Part I. Bridging the disciplines : Introduction: how technology affects human interaction / Elly A. Konijn [and others] -- Understanding social media from the media ecological perspective / Susan B. Barnes -- Machines as mediators: the challenge of technology for interpersonal communication theory and research / Melanie D. Polkosky -- Self as source: agency and customization in interactive media / S. Shyam Sundar -- Part II. Technology as relationship enabler : Transformed social interaction in mediated interpersonal communication / Jeremy N. Bailenson [and others] -- Emotions in mediated interpersonal communication: toward modeling emotion in virtual humans / Elly A. Konijn and Henriette C. Van Vugt -- Is there anybody out there? Analyzing the effects of embodiment and nonverbal behavior in avatar-mediated communication / Gary Bente, Nicole C. Krämer, and Felix Eschenburg -- Touch in computer-mediated communication / Margaret McLaughlin [and others] -- Parasocial interactions and paracommunication with new media characters / Tilo Hartmann -- Antisocial communication on electronic mail and the internet / Karen M. Douglas -- Part III. The appeal of communicating through technology : Impression formation effects in online mediated communication / Sriram Kalyanaraman and S. Shyam Sundar -- The joys of online dating / Monica Whitty -- Social identification with virtual communities / Sonja Utz -- Problems and interventions in computer-mediated virtual groups / Joseph B. Walther -- What makes the internet a place to seek social support? / Martin Tanis -- Mediated interpersonal communication in multiplayer video games: implications for entertainment and relationship management / Christoph Klimmt and Tilo Hartmann -- Flaming and blaming: the influence of mass media content on interactions in online discussions / Dirk Oegema [and others] -- Leisure boredom, sensation seeking, self-esteem, and addiction: symptoms and patterns of cell phone use / Louis Leung

Mass media messages often prompt dialogue among listeners or viewers. Such dialogue may reinforce social stability or lead to pro-social change. If the dialogue prompted by a mass media programme is central to understanding media effects, what forms does this dialogue take, and how does it influence people to change their thinking and actions? These questions formed the basis of the present investigation, which examined an entertainment-education (E-E) programme in India, developed with the intention of promoting pro-social change (e.g., gender equality, family planning, etc.). We discovered that internal dialogue (parasocial interaction) between listeners and media characters lead to conversations about the educational content of the media programme that fuelled support for social stability and for pro-social change. Second, interpersonal dialogue within families, and dialogue at the group level among community members, facilitated discussion of sensitive or taboo subjects in ways that were supportive of social stability as well as social change in family and community dynamics. Finally, listeners and viewers of E-E programmes confronted powerful forces of resistance as they attempted to change community power dynamics. Despite these difficulties, our findings suggest that synergistic possibilities for social action emerge when E-E broadcasts disseminate pro-social models of behaviour that spark various forms of dialogue among audience members.

Measurement trends and issues. Measures of instructional communication / Patricia Kearney and Michael J. Beatty ; Measures of interpersonal communication / Rebecca B. Rubin and Elizabeth E. Graham ; Measures of mass communication / Alan M. Rubin and Elizabeth M. Perse ; Measures of organizational communication / Cal W. Downs, Sue DeWine, and Howard H. Greenbaum. -- Measure profiles. Affective learning ; Affinity-seeking instrument ; Argumentativeness scale ; Attributional confidence scale ; Audience activity measures ; Behavior alteration techniques ; Communication satisfaction questionnaire ; Communicative adaptability scale ; Communicative competence scale ; Communicator competence questionnaire ; Communicator style measure ; Compliance-gaining techniques ; Conversational appropriateness/effectiveness scales ; Cultivation index ; Family communication patterns scale ; Feelings of understanding/misunderstanding scale ; Generalized immediacy scale ; Gratification sought and obtained scales ; Group behavior inventory ; Individualized trust scale ; Interaction involvement scale ; International Communication Association audit ; Interpersonal attraction scale ; Interpersonal communication motives scale ; Interpersonal communication satisfaction inventory ; Interpersonal solidarity scale ; Mean world index ; Mentoring and communication support scale ; News credibility scale ; Nonverbal immediacy behaviors instrument ; Organizational communication conflict instrument ; Organizational communication development audit questionnaire ; Organizational communication scale ; Organizational culture survey ; Organizational identification questionnaire ; Parasocial interaction scale ; Perceived homophily measure ; Perceived realism scale ; Personal involvement inventory ; Personal report of communication apprehension ; Political media gratification scale ; Quality marriage index ; Receiver apprehension test ; Relational communication scale ; Relational dimensions instrument ; Revised self-disclosure scale ; Source credibility scale - Berlo ; Source credibility scale - McCroskey ; Speakers' perceptions of situational causes of anxiety ; Student motivation scale ; Student resistance strategies ; Teacher credibility ; Teacher satisfaction scale ; Teacher self-disclosure instrument ; Team-review questionnaire ; Television affinity scale ; Television viewing motives scale ; Three-dimensional communication load scale ; Unwillingness-to-communicate scale ; Verbal aggressiveness scale ; Verbal immediacy behaviors

In social media, there is a prevalence of celebrity-based brand endorsement. How such endorsement works precisely, though, has received scant research. This study is thus designed to examine how consumers' social media interaction affects parasocial relationships and self-disclosure. In addition, the current study delves into the impacts parasocial relationships and self-disclosure have on consumers' attitude toward social media (i.e., Instagram). Lastly, this study also investigates the effects of consumers' attitude toward social media on consumers' purchase intention. Study results suggest that social media interaction has positive impacts on parasocial relationships and self-disclosure. Parasocial relationships and self-disclosure have a positive impact on consumers' attitudes toward Instagram. Finally, this study finds that attitude toward Instagram has a positive impact on consumers' purchase intention. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

This study examines an education program of the Set-Net school, 'Creative Theater Workshop', designed for addressing North Korean refugee adolescents' psychological distress. The study attempts to answer the question of whether or not the education program is effective in dealing with the psychological distress. By answering the question, the study seeks to give an insight into a specialized program which is necessary to facilitate the refugee adolescents' successful adjustment to South Korean public school. As data for analyzing, the study makes use of official documents about the education program published by the Set-Net school and one semi-structured interview with a teacher who is in charge of the education program. Also, the study explores the theory of drama therapy and, additionally, the parasocial interaction in order to build theoretical framework. The study findings show that North Korean refugee students of the Set-Net school went through traumatic events in the past and they suffered from mental sufferings such as loneliness, identity crisis and depression while resettling in South Korea. But, the findings indicate that the refugee students enjoy several therapeutic processes through the Creative Theater Workshop. As a result, as the findings demonstrate, the refugee students improve their hurt dignity and self-worth, and achieve confidence. Further, they begin to seek their dreams and meanings in the South Korean society. Therefore, this study concludes that the education program is, to a large extent, effective in addressing the psychological distress of the refugee students.

AbstractSocial media influencers (SMI) have grown in importance as a promotional channel. However, little is known about how they build reputational capital and thus endorsement effectiveness, particularly compared to traditional celebrity endorsers. From a consumers' perspective, this research investigates both types of endorsers in different stages of the Celebrity Capital Life Cycle (CCLC). Across three studies, we find that parasocial relationships and interactions with consumers are paramount for SMIs reputational capital and endorsement effectiveness, yet not critical for traditional celebrities. Further, a consumer's perceived weak parasocial relationship/interaction with SMIs can be detrimental to their effectiveness yet has little impact on traditional celebrities' influence. We find that the positive effect of a SMI with high parasocial relationship/interaction with consumers on Word of Mouth (i.e., endorsers effectiveness) is mediated by expectation fulfillment and brand endorsers' credibility (i.e., reputation capital). This research discovers how important parasocial relationships with consumers are for SMIs in comparison to traditional celebrities; importantly this is the first research that empirically identifies how SMIs can gain and maintain reputation capital and subsequently be more effective as brand endorsers. Our findings have important implications for marketing professionals who are managing SMIs.

What drives people to crave fame and celebrity? How does fame affect people psychologically? These issues are frequently discussed by the media but up till now psychologists have shied away from an academic away from an academic investigation of the phenomenon of fame. In this lively, eclectic book David Giles examines fame and celebrity from a variety of perspectives. He argues that fame should be seen as a process rather than a state of being, and that 'celebrity' has largely emerged through the technological developments of the last 150 years. Part of our problem in dealing with celebrities, and the problem celebrities have dealing with the public, is that the social conditions produced by the explosion in mass communications have irrevocably altered the way we live. However we know little about many of the phenomena these conditions have produced - such as the 'parasocial interaction' between television viewers and media characters, and the quasi-religious activity of 'fans'. Perhaps the biggest single dilemma for celebrities is the fact that the vehicle that creates fame for them - the media - is also their tormentor. To address these questions, David Giles draws on research from psychology, sociology, media and communications studies, history and anthropology - as well as his own experiences as a music journalist in the 1980s. He argues that the history of fame is inextricably linked to the emergence of the individual self as a central theme of Western culture, and considers how the desire for authenticity, as well as individual privacy, have created anxieties for celebrities which are best understood in their historical and cultural context

Basis dieser Bachelorarbeit ist die Thematik von Unterhaltung im Kontext 'ernster' Fernsehsendungen sowie dem Einfluss von TV-Presentern in Dokumentarfilmen auf die Rezeption, gestützt auf die Frage von Werner Früh nach der Möglichkeit von Unterhaltung in klassischen Informationsgenres. Das spezifische Interesse dieser Arbeit bezieht sich auf den Einfluss von inhaltlichen Aspekten von Reportagen auf das Unterhaltungserleben von Fernsehzuschauern.

Cover -- Contents -- List of Figures and Tables -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Notes on Contributors -- Introduction -- Part I: Persuasion and Influence -- 1 Media Violence -- 2 Health Communication -- 3 Body Image and Eating Behavior -- 4 Advertising -- Part II: Interaction with the Media -- 5 Internet and Interaction -- 6 Computer and Video Games -- 7 Celebrity and Parasocial Relationships -- Part III: Representation -- 8 Portrayal of Crime -- 9 Racial and Ethnic Stereotyping -- 10 Gender Stereotyping on Television -- 11 Politics -- 12 Research Methodology -- Glossary -- References -- Index.