The Oxford Handbook of Parasocial Experiences examines how audiences psychologically relate to people they see in the media. Specifically, the term Parasocial Experiences (PSEs) is used to refer to parasocial relationships (PSRs) and parasocial internactions (PSIs). This Handbook offers a thorough synthesis of the fast-growing, international, and multidisciplinary research of PSEs, celebrating the field's accomplishments to date but also outlining a blueprint for future growth.
The book is organized in six sections covering: (1) theoretical, conceptual, and operational definitions of PSEs; (2) theoretical models and state-of-the-art review of research on PSEs across the lifespan; (3) the effects of PSEs on media users' self and their social life; (3) the effects of PSEs in various contexts such as health, politics, and marketing; and (4) identifying understudied areas of research that call for further investigation such as comparative cross-cultural research. Across the thematic chapters, the authors debate several overarching critical theoretical issues in PSEs research, such as the boundaries between parasocial and social phenomena and the distinctions between PSEs and other forms of involvement with media. The book also includes a hands-on methodological chapter that provides detailed information about measurement and manipulation of PSEs. Offering state-of-the-art research in the field written by leading scholars, The Oxford Handbook of Parasocial Experiences is crucial reading for anyone interested in this new area of study.