Positive and Negative Experiences of Alonetime Predict Closeness with TV Characters
A recently published study by Dara Greenwood and Chris Long (i.e., me!) suggests that people who typically experience solitude as positive or as negative are likely to feel particularly close to their favorite TV characters, but probably for different reasons. As Greenwood notes in a University of Michigan press release, “Media programs are, after all, inherently social and may offer individuals a soothing if temporary replacement for genuine social interaction.” However, the relation between affinity for favorite characters and the use of solitude for self-discovery indicates that “the emotional versatility of entertainment media and suggests that the alternative realities of movies or television programs may provide opportunities for imaginative and emotional processing that facilitate personal growth.”
Research article:
Greenwood, Dara N., & Long, Christopher R. (2009). Psychological Predictors of Media Involvement: Solitude Experiences and the Need to Belong. Communication Research, Vol. 36, Issue 5, 637-654.
University of Michigan Press Release is here.
Reader Discussion of Press Release on Current.com is here.
