Tag Archives: body image

COL680: LoR: Parasocial Interactions

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, it’s time for another Landscape of Relationships. The cubs are once again joined by Dr. Edward Angelini-Cooke for this insightful look into one-sided parasocial interactions. From celebrities to social media influencers, learn how these types of relationships are formed without the others’ knowledge and also the positive and negative impacts they can have on the person creating it. Please like, comment and subscribe to learn more.

Show Topic

Landscape of Relationships: Parasocial Interactions

Parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships where one person invests lots of time, energy, interest, and sometimes money where the other person is completely unaware of the other person’s existence.  Parasocial relationships are most common with celebrities, organizations, television stars, and social media.  These relationships are created through parasocial interactions (PSI) through mediated encounters with performers through mass media.

Social media offers an added layer of interaction for these relationships to intensify through likes, comments, and direct messaging.  

Alief – def. knowing something isn’t real but feeling like it is

Positive Outcomes of Parasocial Relationships

*Identity Formation 

  • performers can offer autonomy in relationships where they can receive total acceptance outside of parents/family.  
  • provide a secure relationship without the fear of rejection.
  • feeling a part of a group 
  • empathy

*Learning

  • Bandura’s Social Learning Theory says that social behavior is learning and imitating the behaviors of others. 
  • Shows like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and more recently Bluey all offer kids opportunities to learn through identification with these characters.  

Negative Outcomes of Parasocial Relationships 

*Body Image 

  • research has indicated a negative relationship between parasocial relationships and body image, as well as self-comparison, social comparison with characters increases negative body image 
  • interestingly among men, having a PSR with a superhero is likely to protect body image, where not having a PSR with a superhero is likely to hurt body image 
  • the usage of filters in social media (like airbrushing in print media) has greatly increased, giving a false reality of performers.

*Aggression 

  • more aggressive viewers were more likely to identify with aggressive characters and create PSR with them. 

*General 

  • anxiety media views are more likely to be more invested in parasocial relationships 
  • parasocial relationships are one-sided and different traditional friendships
  • the whole hegemonic masculinity thing
  • parasocial breakups and grief “what happens when they ‘betray’ you or they die?” Research indicated this follows the patterns of a relationship breakup
  • can create bias in reality 

Topics of PSR

  • Taylor Swift “Swifties”, Lizzo “Lizzbeans”
  • Twitter/Only Fans
  • Reality TV Stars 
  • Vloggers/Podcast hosts 
  • Fictional Characters 
  • Tiktok 
  • Politicians

Be mindful of the media you are consuming and how that translates into your other relationships and the real world.

Play

COL525: What is… Confidence?

In this episode of Cubs Out Loud, the guys present their next installment of the “What is…” series. For this installation, the cubs talk about being confident. The guys spend some time airing out their definitions of confidence and discussing what it means to them. Is confidence sexy? Where is the line between confidence and arrogance?

Show Topic

What is. . . Confidence?

  • Is confidence something we work on projecting? How do we see confidence in others? How sexy is confidence?

Download Podcast

Play

COLDR: S9E09: Your Pilots On Fire

In this episode of COL Drag Race ‘T-Time’, the gang is joined by extra special guest Brady to talk about the most recent episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. It’s TV pilots and Club Kid couture and enough twists and turns to leave you gagging for breath. Plus, an elimination so shocking, the guys barely mask their emotions.

Play

Weekly Topic

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 Episode 9

Thoughts on This Episode:

  • [Gary] – Two things:
    • 1) All the BS aside, Club Kids to the Main Stage!
    • 2) Emotional Rollercoaster [bored, annoyed, frustrated, slightly amused, bewildered, confused, appeased, unsure, perplexed, gagged, mystified, and ultimately mournful]
  • [Damon] – One of the best episodes of the season
  • [Chester] – Entertaining and gag worthy
  • [Brady] – Hypocrisy in abundance.

Thoughts on Untucked:

  • [Damon] – Misconceptions (thanks internet)
  • [Chester] – Shea has some amazing words of advice…
  • [Brady] – Nina. We shall discuss. I have notes.
  • [Gary] – Nerves on Edge & the predicted Crash and Burn

Cooldown Topics

Takeaways:

  • [Chester] – Confidence vs. Cocky: know your shit/Manufactured
  • [Brady] – Katya/Alaska?/Where the fuck did that robe come from?
  • [Gary] – Ru voiced the T inside so many heads
  • [Damon] – It only takes one fall to break a leg

Snaps / Eyerolls:

  • [Gary] – Snaps for… Runway looks & shoutout to Alexis
  • [Gary] – Eyerolls for… guest judges who?? & 6Ps were missed
  • [Damon] – Snaps for… Peppermint’s Club Kid/Gaywatch
  • [Damon] – Eyerolls for… You know what I’m gonna eyeroll
  • [Chester] –  Snaps for… Shea/Sasha Redux
  • [Chester] – Eyerolls for… Sasha runway, snorefest
  • [Brady] – Snaps for… The Deadpool of Drag [Chester’s Couture pic vs Shea’s Runway Look]
  • [Brady] – Eyerolls for…Alexis

Closing Thoughts:

  • [Damon] – You don’t always get a 2nd chance
  • [Chester] – Nothing to add
  • [Brady] – Predictions.
  • [Gary] – The final four are predicted?

Download Podcast

 

COLDR: S9E08: RuPaul Roast

In this episode of COL Drag Race T Time, get ready for a roast! The guys read the queens as they open the library on each other and then dig into Ru’s right hand woman, Michelle Visage! Who kills and who dies in this laugh out loud ruckus?

Play

Weekly Topic

RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 9 Episode 8

Thoughts on This Episode:

  • [Gary] – Everybody learns their place
  • [Damon] – Reading is Fun-damental
  • [Chester] – You’re either good or bad

Thoughts on Untucked:

  • [Damon] – Really, Nina, really??
  • [Chester] – Channeling Laganja/Adore 2.0
  • [Gary] – Shea comes for Nina & WTH is w/ the product plug?

Cooldown Topics

Takeaways:

  • [Chester] – Alexis’ self sabotage
  • [Gary] –  The sisterhood isn’t tight
  • [Damon] – Winning is important

Snaps / Eyerolls:

  • [Gary] – Snaps for… Alexis’ lip sync add-ons & Farrah’s Words of Wisdom [Untucked]
  • [Gary] – Eyerolls for… Alexis’ lip sync windmill moment
  • [Damon] – Snaps for… Sasha’s intelligent roast/Peppermint’s fabulous roast/John Polly’s Extra Lap
  • [Damon] – Eyerolls for…Alexis’ green titties
  • [Chester] –  Snaps for… The bountiful GIFs we are about to receive
  • [Chester] – Eyerolls for… Alexis’ not Elphaba look (but really it’s Elphaba)

Closing Thoughts:

  • [Damon] – Stop being bitter, Betty
  • [Chester] – Alexis scrapes by and Sasha looks stronger
  • [Gary] – 7 remain, and the Top 3 are…

Download Podcast