Emotionally Attached

When watching a movie have you every felt like you've gained a connection with a particular character or characters? when your character gets into an altercation, or goes through a break-up, or even dies do you develop a sense of emotional connection? Just like you many who watch films encounters the same emotional pattern that develops between the movie watcher and the character. But why? According to Howard Skylar a doctoral researcher of the University of Helsinki, states in the article The psychology of character Bonding by Rachel Norman state that we develop these feeling through empathy and sympathy. Skylar states that humans tend to connect to a character due to a similarity of a situation. Whatever is going on with the character, the viewer may be able to relate to what they're going through rather it being a loss in the family or a simple job promotion. The viewer forms a sense of empathy for the character when identifying the character's backstory, or their story displayed throughout the film or show. This opens the viewers need to sympathize for the character. For example, above is a clip from part one of the trilogy of Hunger Games (Spoiler alert if you've never seen this movie). In the scene displayed the young lively character Rue dies from a dart to the chest. This would be considered as one of the movie's high points that received a lot of reaction from the crowd. Many viewers became attached to Rue which made her death very emotional. Many even cried at the death of Rue (Okay, I confess), and some even upset. In the rebel of district 11, many moviegoers cheered in excitement as if they were actually there to witness it for themselves. Prior to that particular scene, Rue's character is developed through the back story of her life, where she was raised, her life history etc. This opens a sensitive boundary that allows the viewer to find out more of the characters personal background in which one may relate that character to someone who has similar characteristics or has a relatable situation. When there is a life-threatening situation the viewer may place another person that may substitute the character for a real person, or in other instances see that character as real and not fictional.

According to the article The Psychology of Fandom: Why We Get Attached to fictional Characters by Abby Norman, Norman continues Skylar's theory adding the idea of things that are fictional may be perceived as reality. Though we can not feel, or interact with the character there is a sense of connection viewers build that gives them the idea that the character is real. This idea gives homage to the actor in which they precisely portray a character so well that their actual identity is lost and sometimes become permanently referred to as that character rather than who they actually are. Let's take the Twilight Saga as an example. Many watchers not only gravitated to the series but gravitated to these three phenomenal characters.Kristen Stewart, also known as Bella Swan will always be known for her role on the Twilight Saga even though her acting career was well established prior to the famous Saga and is still thriving. However, her role as Bella will always be a part of her identity which will make it hard for her to break away from due to the connection fans have with that character. 

According to Ann Burnett and Rhea Beto, one may identify this as Parasocial Relationship theory. Parasocial Relationship is a theory that indicates a viewers development of a relationship between themselves and a character, tv host, etc. These relationships often develop individually and not within a set group of people. There is a sense of connection that a viewer may develop making the character seem real or close to them as if the character is a friend or companion. This has a large impact on a production. It is stated that a viewers idea may contribute to how producers may construct a characters script withing a series or sequel. Viewers become so emotionally attach that if a viewer is not pleased with a scene or a character's plot twist producers may switch, or re-create and revive a character for the popularity of the viewers. A viewers emotional attachment can not only have a pivotal impact on that person but also on the production or the characters longevity within a series or sequel. In today's age, most shows, movies, etc thrive off of viewers emotional connection with a character. If there is no connection to viewers one can be killed off a show or written a smaller role to the sake of the production. To be emotionally attached to a character can be a good and bad thing and largely impacts not only you but the production itself. 

References

Burnett, Ann, and Rhea Reinhardt Beto. "Ann Burnett and Rhea Rheinhardt Beto." Ann Burnett and Rhea Rheinhardt Beto. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.

Nuwer, Rachel. Where to Watch. N.p., 13 July 2034. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.

Norman, Abby. "The Psychology of Fandom: Why We Get Attached to Fictional Characters." The Mary Sue The Psychology of Fandom Why We Get Attached to Fictional Characters Comments. N.p., 19 Aug. 2015. Web. 29 Nov. 2015.