Anorexia - Cognitive theory

Question 1

Distortions

Answer 1

Errors in thinking that cause the individual to develop a negative body image ; may result in comparison of others leading to a misconception that the Individual is overweight

Question 2

Irrational beliefs

Answer 2

Beliefs that are illogical and inconsistent with social reality leading to self defeating habits due to unrealistic beliefs e.g for AN , believe they must be thin for others to like them

Question 3

Cognitive theory

Answer 3

An explanation about the way a person processes information which affects their feelings and behaviour

Question 4

*Cognitive behavioural model

Answer 4

Garner + Bemis say AN patients are typically high achieving perfectionists , introverted and full of self doubt , these paired with cultural ideas of thinness form ideas about importance of body weight and shape

Question 5

Result

Answer 5

Develops the irrational belief that losing weight will reduce their distress and make them more attractive to others
Losing weight becomes self reinforcing due to the sense of achievement and positive comments from others

Question 6

Development of AN

Answer 6

Anxiety about eating increases which develops into a fear of food and gaining weight so food avoidance becomes the norm and becomes more socially isolated leaving no chance for a change in thinking

Question 7

*Transdiagnostic model

Answer 7

Fairburn et al suggests looking at various symptoms as manifestations of a more broadly defined eating disorder is better ; the underlying cause of all eating disorders is the same set of cognitive distortions which he refers to as ‘core psychopathology’

Question 8

Core psychopathology

Answer 8

Involves overestimation of body weight, appearance and emphasis on self control ; those with AN have a self esteem, that is primarily determined by their weight and appearance making control of eating important as they may fail to control other areas of their lives

Question 9

Mechanisms that maintain restrictions of food

Answer 9

1. An enhanced sense of self control which leads to increased self esteem
2. Physiological and psychological changes they experience as a result of starvation
3. Increased self monitoring of their weight due to focus on weight + appearance

Question 10

*Evaluation

Research support - Lang et al

Answer 10

Compared performance of 41 children and adolescents with AN and 43 healthy controlled pps on neuropsychological measures
There were no differences in IQ however the AN individuals displayed a more inefficient and inflexible cognitive processing style e.g unable to overcome previous held beliefs

Question 11

Limitation - Cooper

Answer 11

Argues the cognitive models of AN are largely the result of clinical observation rather than empirical research
Many of the studies that test the hypotheses of cognitive models have methodological problem as they over rely on self reports