Self-disclosure and authenticity in parasocial interaction

Nah, Hye Soo

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120511 Copy

Description

Title

Self-disclosure and authenticity in parasocial interaction

Author(s)

Nah, Hye Soo

Issue Date

2023-04-13

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Vargas, Patrick

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Vargas, Patrick

Committee Member(s)

• Wise, Kevin
• Yao, Mike
• Caughlin, John

Department of Study

Inst of Communications Rsch

Discipline

Communications and Media

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

self-disclosure, authenticity, parasocial interaction

Abstract

In this dissertation, I identify a psychological process by which a media performer’s self-disclosure, via people’s perceived authenticity and liking of the performer, increases persuasion in a parasocial interaction context. Three randomized experiments tested and attempted to replicate a serial multiple mediator model where a performer’s intimate self-disclosure positively affected viewers’ message acceptance via increased perceptions of performer authenticity and feelings of interpersonal liking. In Study 1 (n = 415), participants were randomly assigned to watch a short video where the performer, a male college student, either engaged in self-disclosure or did not while presenting a prosocial, mental health-related message. Throughout both versions of the video (self-disclosure, no-disclosure), the performer gazed and spoke directly into the camera and addressed the viewer’s presence, thereby engaging in parasocial interaction. Study 2 (n = 520) was close conceptual replication of Study 1 that featured a different performer (female college student) in the video stimuli. Findings replicated that of Study 1, where the performer’s intimate self-disclosure increased people’s message acceptance via people’s perceived authenticity and liking of the performer. Study 3 attempted to further replicate and extend the first two studies by featuring a third different performer and a different persuasive message in video stimuli. Findings partially replicated Studies 1 and 2, and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Graduation Semester

2023-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Hye Soo Nah

Owning Collections