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Table of Contents

Editor’s Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Towards an Integrated and Systematic

Theory of Parasocial Relationships:

PSR as an Attachment Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

1. The Essentials of PSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

A. The problem:

PSR is overworked and undertheorized . . . . 5

2. The Theoretical Framework: Attachment Theory 6

A. Attachment theory and PSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3. Attachment Behavior in PSR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

A. Proximity maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

B. Safe-haven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

C. Secure base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

D. Separation distress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4. PSR and Attachment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

A. PSR as an attachment process . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

B. Why do individuals form PSR? . . . . . . . . . . . 10

C. When do individuals form PSR? . . . . . . . . . . 11

D. What is the goal of forming PSR? . . . . . . . . . 12

5. Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

6. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Briefly Noted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Available for download on Monday, March 01, 2027

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