Cambridge psychologist Professor Simone Schnall decoded the meaning behind 2025's Words of the Year, including 'parasocial,' 'rage bait,' and 'AI slop.' These terms reflect a significant shift in how attention, emotion, and connection are shaped by online platforms and artificial intelligence. Schnall explained that 'parasocial' relationships, one-sided emotional bonds with public figures or AI, highlight a modern form of intimacy amplified by digital access, building on historical infatuations with celebrities or powerful figures.