Parasocial forgiveness

The roles of parasocial closeness and offense perceptions

Bibliographic Data

ID2928356
AuthorsLindsey L Osterman (0000-0002-4824-8780, Roanoke College, corresponding author), Theresa A Hecmanczuk (Roanoke College)
Year2020
Volume37
Issue3
Pages800-820
Publication date2020-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407519879511
OpenAlexW2979921156
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited36

Recent research suggests that robust predictors of interpersonal forgiveness, such as relationship closeness and offense severity, also predict forgiveness of a parasocial target. We extend this work using an interpersonal forgiveness measure to examine forgiveness of parasocial targets as a function of parasocial closeness and offense perceptions. Across two studies, we found that pre-offense closeness was associated with greater forgiveness and current closeness, and that forgiveness significantly mediated the relationship between pre-offense and current closeness. In Study 2, we additionally found that perceptions of apology sincerity were associated with greater forgiveness and current parasocial closeness. Finally, we found that a brief measure of parasocial closeness was comparable to the Parasocial Interaction Scale in its associations with forgiveness and related outcomes. Implications regarding similarities and differences in interpersonal and parasocial forgiveness are discussed. Additionally, possible benefits of using of a brief, face-valid, and versatile set of items to assess parasocial closeness are suggested

Closeness · Developmental psychology · Dyad · Forgiveness · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Perception · Humor Studies and Applications · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub