Abstract:
This study investigated adolescents‟ parasocial interaction with local entertainment
celebrities in Ghana. It assessed the gender difference in adolescents‟ parasocial interaction
and the relationship between parasocial interaction and interpersonal attraction. The study
adopted the quantitative research approach and the descriptive survey design was used. A
sample size of 800 adolescents and 736 responses were gathered from students of Apam
Senior High School and Winneba Senior High School who were the respondents for this
study. Parasocial interaction was measured using the 10 item parasocial interaction scale:
interpersonal attraction was also measured with the 3-section interpersonal attraction scale.
Questionnaires were used to collect data and the data gathered was analysed using the
descriptive analysis technique via SPSS. Parasocial interaction theory and the theory of
identification formed the theoretical underpinning of the study. The results of the study
indicated that, adolescents experienced Parasocial Interaction (PSI) with local
entertainment celebrities mainly through television. The parasocial interaction experienced
was intense among all adolescents, and the difference in gender was statistically
insignificant. It was also found that both male and female adolescents feel attracted to local
entertainment celebrities and there was no significant gender difference. There was a strong
and positive relationship between parasocial interaction and interpersonal attraction among
adolescents. These findings demonstrate that local entertainment celebrities have a strong
influence on adolescents in Ghana. It also reflects the perceptions of adolescents about
local entertainment celebrities.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION AND
MEDIA STUDIES, FACULTY OF LANGUAGES EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO
THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,
WINNEBA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES (BUSINESS COMMUNICATION)
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA.
JULY, 2015