Most of us have experienced the one-sided yet strangely emotional connection that can be made with a fictional character on a TV show, in a movie, or in a book. These are called "parasocial relationships," a term coined by psychologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl in 1956.
Nobody Liked Poochy Anyway
What Makes Us Care About Fictional Characters?
Parasocial relationships from a gamer's perspective.
How Novels Make Us Care About Fictional Characters
An author speaks about his own parasocial relationships.
Why Do We Worship Celebrities?
Celebrities often grant a different kind of one-sided relationship.
Written by
Curiosity Staff
August 17, 2016
Wake up with the smartest email in your inbox.
Our Best Articles Daily
Curiosity uses cookies to improve site performance, for analytics and for advertising. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.