Conceptual distinctions among key studied variables
| Construct | Type of process | Core mechanism | Psychological level | Typical indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perceived similarity | Cognitive evaluation | Judgements of shared values, worldview, lifestyle, interests | Cognitive (analytical) | “Like me,” shared preferences, homophily cues |
| Perceived emotional closeness | Affective bond | Feelings of warmth, intimacy and trust toward influencer | Affective (emotional) | Friendship-like closeness, emotional connection, trust |
| Parasocial interaction (PSI) | Relational, situational experience | Illusion of reciprocal interaction during exposure | Relational (interactional) | Feeling “addressed,” imagined conversation, momentary engagement |
| Construct | Type of process | Core mechanism | Psychological level | Typical indicators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perceived similarity | Cognitive evaluation | Judgements of shared values, worldview, lifestyle, interests | Cognitive (analytical) | “Like me,” shared preferences, homophily cues |
| Perceived emotional closeness | Affective bond | Feelings of warmth, intimacy and trust toward influencer | Affective (emotional) | Friendship-like closeness, emotional connection, trust |
| Parasocial interaction ( | Relational, situational experience | Illusion of reciprocal interaction during exposure | Relational (interactional) | Feeling “addressed,” imagined conversation, momentary engagement |
Sharing content requires targeting cookies to be enabled. Please update your cookie preferences to use this feature.