Psychiatry August 1956 PMID 13359569

Mass communication and para-social interaction; observations on intimacy at a distance.

D HORTON, R R WOHL

Mentions

181
Peak: 16 in Jul 2024
across 5 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

250,103
potential audience

Total likes

6,892

Video views

138,092

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News108 articles
  • X / Twitter51 posts
  • Blogs14 articles
  • YouTube6 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions show a strong alignment with the article's historical importance, with many citing Horton and Wohl’s 1956 paper as the foundational work on parasocial relationships, using words like 'seminal' and phrases like 'more relevant than ever,' which emphasize both their respect and the ongoing relevance of the concepts. Users' tone reflects curiosity and appreciation for the history and evolution of parasocial interactions in modern digital contexts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance and foundational role of Horton and Wohl's original work from 1956, showing general agreement with the article's significance.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, as many references include detailed mentions of the original paper and its relevance to contemporary media, indicating curiosity.

EngagementModerate engagement

There's some depth in the engagement, with users not only mentioning the concepts but also referencing their applications today, such as podcasts and YouTube relationships.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest a moderate impact, highlighting how the original concept continues to influence studies and media interactions, exemplified by mentions of its relevance across decades.

Abstract in brief

  • The article explores how mass communication influences people's perceptions of intimacy when they develop one-sided relationships with media figures, known as parasocial interactions.
  • It discusses how these interactions mimic real-life relationships and can provide a sense of closeness or emotional connection without actual face-to-face contact.
  • The study also highlights the emotional and psychological effects of these distant relationships, including benefits like companionship and potential drawbacks such as unrealistic expectations or dependency.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Prasetja
@IamPrasPrasetja · X

@edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance” kak. Setahuku mereka yang mulai meneliti dan membuat terminologi parasocial relationship ini.

Jul 18, 2024 · 250 likes · 25 shares · 11,958 followers View post →
Steelthroat
@aciergorge · X

@jessefalconer23 @khuckhich69 @the_nerd_skull @Jachra @skeletonreal It was coined by horton and wohl 1956 in reference to radio, tv and movie stars https://t.co/Sn65k1uZt9

Jun 14, 2024 · 143 likes · 2 shares · 191 followers View post →
wil, ostensibly
@wilmwilliams · X

3/ What is a parasocial relationship? A parasocial relationship is a relationship in which one person does not know the other person exists. In this thread, we'll be talking about the relationships we have with people like celebrities. https://t.co/RXBl04HazA

May 14, 2021 · 43 likes · 1 share · 4,473 followers View post →
ゆう(wrmtrm)/新刊『アセクシュアル アロマンティック入門』(集英社新書)
@wrmtw · X

そういえば日本語のファン研究だとパラソーシャル概念ってあんまり見かけない気がするんだけど、何か理由あるのかね……それか私が見落としてるだけかしら https://t.co/VxKzrlhn7H

Mar 6, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 4,109 followers View post →
der Schiedsrichter des Geschmacks
@ajcbos · X

@seungscience Haha we’re studying parasocial interactions in one of my classes and here’s a fun read for anyone who wants to dive into their psyche more deeply: https://t.co/tJGTeKS7Kk

Nov 23, 2021 · 6 likes · 689 followers View post →
MyCompanions
@MyCompanionsAI · X

Origins of Parasocial Relationships The concept of parasocial relationships was coined in the 1950s by Donald Horton and Richard Wohl via their paper "Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance.”

Dec 10, 2023 · 6 likes · 306 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding Parasocial Relationships with Shaaba

Are influencers your friends? Join us as Shaaba, a scientist studying parasocial relationships, explores the nuances of intimacy at a distance and how these connections influence our perceptions of public figures.

Sci Guys · Dec 13, 2020 59,286 views

The Pormanove Incident: Streaming's Dark Side

The Pormanove case shocked the streaming community when French streamer Raphal Graven died live after 12 days of continuous broadcasting on Kick. This video explores the psychological and sociological implications of…

Psico Vlog · Sep 11, 2025 3,111 views
Sadie Witkowski, PhD
@SadieWit · X

Thanks to @DrAnnaFunk for reading selections from the OG research paper on #parasocialrelationships https://t.co/NF0D9alk8y

Apr 13, 2025 · 1 like · 2,029 followers View post →
Steven Hall
@Kellectibles · X

@RickyDoggin I believe this person may be suffering from parasocial interaction (PSI), first introduced by Donald Horton and R. Richard Wohl in their 1956 article "Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance"

Nov 3, 2024 · 269 followers View post →
(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
@er404ntfnd · X

the dudes that first talked about parasocial interactions and relationships were donald horton and richard wohl in a 1956 paper called “mass communication and para-social interaction. observations on intimacy at a distance”. this is how they described it: https://t.co/2ENKRNz6gT

Oct 22, 2024 · 10 followers View post →
chall
@challdreams · X

Wow. Got reminded how expensive access to one article can be. $53 for one pdf? Access for 48 hours online to one article….. Horton&Wohl 2016, Mass communication and para-social interaction, observations on intimacy at a distance. (Only have access for journal ->2010) ehhh

Aug 9, 2024 · 641 followers View post →
candy
@apinkcotton · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 20, 2024 · 25 shares · 50 followers View post →
cos tan
@siiincostan · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 19, 2024 · 25 shares · 21 followers View post →
alsjeblief
@viceverasa · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 19, 2024 · 25 shares · 205 followers View post →
pecelpiranha
@pecelpiranha · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 19, 2024 · 25 shares · 128 followers View post →
Rahmat Perkasa | Konten Kreator Sepakbola
@R_Perkasa · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 19, 2024 · 25 shares · 878 followers View post →
ave!
@annieh · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 19, 2024 · 25 shares · 203 followers View post →
halice | Joki TOEFL kampus/online
@halicejiwon · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 23 followers View post →
ꦱꦼꦏꦂ
@l0uree · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 13 followers View post →
CEN666EK
@walikonten · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 2,414 followers View post →
tap your SHALALA
@sijeuniiie · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 337 followers View post →
rebelhut
@rebelhut · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 12 followers View post →
َ
@camerasahi · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares View post →
Ivandra
@aivandra_ · X

RT @IamPrasPrasetja: @edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication an…

Jul 18, 2024 · 25 shares · 5 followers View post →
Prasetja
@IamPrasPrasetja · X

@edmob13th Kalau tertarik, bisa dimulai dengan artikel oleh Horton & Wohl tahun (1956) judulnya “Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance” kak. Setahuku mereka yang mulai meneliti dan membuat terminologi parasocial relationship ini.

Jul 18, 2024 · 250 likes · 25 shares · 11,958 followers View post →
Proutist Universal
@ProutistUni · X

Horton, D., & Richard Wohl, R. (1956). Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215–229. https://t.co/yatZQ3HlTh Para-social interaction (PSI) in mass media: * One-Sided Relationship Unlike traditional social

Jul 17, 2024 · 1,221 followers View post →
mika(n)
@_fmkk4 · X

Horton, D., & Wohl, R. R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry, 19, 215–229.

Jul 13, 2024 · 2 likes · 565 followers View post →
Jade
@MordecaiJade · X

RT @aciergorge: @jessefalconer23 @khuckhich69 @the_nerd_skull @Jachra @skeletonreal It was coined by horton and wohl 1956 in reference to r…

Jun 16, 2024 · 2 shares · 23 followers View post →
Yang Wage Li
@ExiledPhilosop2 · X

RT @aciergorge: @jessefalconer23 @khuckhich69 @the_nerd_skull @Jachra @skeletonreal It was coined by horton and wohl 1956 in reference to r…

Jun 14, 2024 · 2 shares · 361 followers View post →
Steelthroat
@aciergorge · X

@jessefalconer23 @khuckhich69 @the_nerd_skull @Jachra @skeletonreal It was coined by horton and wohl 1956 in reference to radio, tv and movie stars https://t.co/Sn65k1uZt9

Jun 14, 2024 · 143 likes · 2 shares · 191 followers View post →
Nom__XD, 飲ん, 诺穆 (They/Them)
@XdNom33675 · X

@torimojori Here is the original scientific paper in which the term was coined https://t.co/OO3MdLIQub Any other scientific paper that uses the term must directly or indirectly cite it.

Mar 24, 2024 · 1 like · 209 followers View post →
Pol Comm Tech Lab
@polcommtech · X

Mar 20, 2024 · 213 followers View post →
Pol Comm Tech Lab
@polcommtech · X

Mar 20, 2024 · 213 followers View post →
Pol Comm Tech Lab
@polcommtech · X

Mar 20, 2024 · 213 followers View post →
MyCompanions
@MyCompanionsAI · X

Origins of Parasocial Relationships The concept of parasocial relationships was coined in the 1950s by Donald Horton and Richard Wohl via their paper "Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance.”

Dec 10, 2023 · 6 likes · 306 followers View post →
古月
@ran_koga_mas · X

@tn4mdg1 Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction https://t.co/PMPO0BZQCv

Sep 6, 2022 · 1 like · 3,236 followers View post →
Chris
@chriscrubs · X

Para-Social Relationship: The one-sided intense emotional attachment that fans can develop toward celebrities https://t.co/24N77Y6iSz

Aug 2, 2022 · 93 followers View post →
Michele Meyer, PhD
@michelemeyer · X

Horton, D., & Richard Wohl, R. (1956). Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215-229.

Jul 18, 2022 · 1,760 followers View post →
MandoO / gaudium
@wH_MandoO · X

Horton, Donald & R. Richard Wohl: 'Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance', Particip@tions Volume 3, Issue 1 (May 2006). https://t.co/HrOWxOL5nU

Apr 3, 2022 · 1 like · 100 followers View post →
コオロギでいっぱい
@hua2xu1 · X

RT @wrmtw: そういえば日本語のファン研究だとパラソーシャル概念ってあんまり見かけない気がするんだけど、何か理由あるのかね……それか私が見落としてるだけかしら https://t.co/VxKzrlhn7H

Mar 6, 2022 · 1 share · 687 followers View post →
ゆう(wrmtrm)/新刊『アセクシュアル アロマンティック入門』(集英社新書)
@wrmtw · X

そういえば日本語のファン研究だとパラソーシャル概念ってあんまり見かけない気がするんだけど、何か理由あるのかね……それか私が見落としてるだけかしら https://t.co/VxKzrlhn7H

Mar 6, 2022 · 8 likes · 1 share · 4,109 followers View post →
der Schiedsrichter des Geschmacks
@ajcbos · X

@seungscience Haha we’re studying parasocial interactions in one of my classes and here’s a fun read for anyone who wants to dive into their psyche more deeply: https://t.co/tJGTeKS7Kk

Nov 23, 2021 · 6 likes · 689 followers View post →
お。
@ooooooooo3 · X

@tanii これ? https://t.co/HGCs9nADlt

Nov 14, 2021 · 1 like · 2,071 followers View post →
Vega ✳️
@alejandravemar · X

"There are several principal strategies for achieving this illusion of intimacy." Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction, Donald Horton & R. Richard Wohl Link al artículo aquí: https://t.co/DcrdQYdVYv https://t.co/KclrMkyqRP

Sep 30, 2021 · 668 followers View post →
Farrah Bostic
@farrahbostic · X

@jacremes @shannonmattern You could start with the seminal paper on parasocial interactions from 1956. https://t.co/aTH1YGshGX

Sep 10, 2021 · 3,931 followers View post →
Ben Greenman
@bengreenman · X

Here's the original article on parasocial relationships. Sixty-five years later, more relevant than ever. https://t.co/aC6OIESxqI

Sep 5, 2021 · 13,583 followers View post →
Alexandria Bond, PhD
@__zetetic__ · X

RT @dsquintana: This paper from 1956 does a pretty good job describing podcasts https://t.co/MZkttSsnf9 https://t.co/YjyDzEIvoc

Jun 27, 2021 · 3 shares · 158 followers View post →
The D-Pad | @ricdesi.dpad.fm on Bluesky
@downrightdpad · X

@AfricanDTrump Here you go, bud. A little light reading. https://t.co/DO0AprYQXa

Jun 8, 2021 · 1,103 followers View post →
YUNOCHWE
@YUNOCHWE · X

Please read the original definition of PSI I’m begging y’all (or just read the Wikipedia summary) Horton, D.; Wohl, R. (1956). "Mass communication and para-social interaction: Observation on intimacy at a distance". Psychiatry. 19 (3): 215–229. https://t.co/ImvLQkwwWu

Jun 4, 2021 · 1,435 followers View post →
Kat
@SunsStepchild · X

RT @wilw_writes: 3/ What is a parasocial relationship? A parasocial relationship is a relationship in which one person does not know the ot…

May 15, 2021 · 1 share · 381 followers View post →
wil, ostensibly
@wilmwilliams · X

3/ What is a parasocial relationship? A parasocial relationship is a relationship in which one person does not know the other person exists. In this thread, we'll be talking about the relationships we have with people like celebrities. https://t.co/RXBl04HazA

May 14, 2021 · 43 likes · 1 share · 4,473 followers View post →
cc c
@idk_cc · X

“To say that he is familiar and intimate is to use pale and feeble language for the pervasiveness and closeness with which multitudes feel his presence.” Donald Horton and Richard Wolf’s Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance

Mar 15, 2021 · 178 followers View post →
Elon Moks
@moki_doki · X

Kakasend ko lang ke @desamting!!! https://t.co/q8bKxhSNoR https://t.co/TTlTRyYQ0y

Feb 11, 2021 · 1 like · 3,992 followers View post →
Dan Quintana
@dsquintana · X

@aina_puce Here's a direct link to paper https://t.co/aHKUfmTf5L Horton D, Wohl RR. Mass communication and para-social interaction; observations on intimacy at a distance. Psychiatry. 1956 Aug;19(3):215-29. doi: 10.1080/00332747.1956.11023049. PMID: 13359569.

Sep 24, 2020 · 1 like · 20,556 followers View post →
Dan Quintana
@dsquintana · X

This paper from 1956 does a pretty good job describing podcasts https://t.co/MZkttSsnf9 https://t.co/YjyDzEIvoc

Sep 24, 2020 · 4 likes · 3 shares · 20,556 followers View post →
Eaon©
@eaonp · X

Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance Donald Horton & R. Richard Wohl (1956) https://t.co/PvwQj0xG6L

Aug 16, 2019 · 1 like · 4,675 followers View post →
Kazuo
@mimic007 · X

Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance: Psychiatry: Vol 19, No 3 https://t.co/qu2H2usyEt

Apr 6, 2019 · 134 followers View post →
Callum henry
@Callumhenry10 · X

Para-social relationships were evident in mainstream media in 1956, similar relationships are being created today within the billions of users on YouTube. #UoPDigiCom https://t.co/LwTZR8thLN

Mar 29, 2019 · 2 followers View post →