Self-disclosure and authenticity in parasocial interaction

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.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communications and Media

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Nah, Hye Soo

Contributors dc:contributor

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

• Self-disclosure
• Authenticity
• Parasocial Interaction

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Hye Soo Nah

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

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

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120511