Children's Wishful Identification and Parasocial Interaction with Favorite Television Characters.

Hoffner, Cynthia

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Peer reviewed

ERIC Number: EJ531110

Record Type: Journal

Publication Date: 1996

Pages: N/A

Abstractor: N/A

ISBN: N/A

ISSN: ISSN-0883-8151

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Children's Wishful Identification and Parasocial Interaction with Favorite Television Characters.

Hoffner, Cynthia

Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, v40 n3 p389-402 Sum 1996

Interviewed about favorite TV characters, 91% of boys and 53% of girls ages 7-12 chose same-sex favorites. For male characters, wishful identification was predicted by intelligence and (for girls only) humor; parasocial interaction was predicted by intelligence, attractiveness, and (for boys only) strength. For female characters (chosen only by girls) attractiveness was the only significant predictor. (Author/PEN)

Descriptors: Characterization, Children, Humor, Identification (Psychology), Intelligence, Mass Media Role, Muscular Strength, Personality, Physical Attractiveness, Predictor Variables, Sex Differences, Sexual Identity, Television, Television Viewing

Publication Type: Reports - Research; Journal Articles

Education Level: N/A

Audience: N/A

Language: English

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Authoring Institution: N/A

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Author Affiliations: N/A