Anorexia Nervosa Expls EATING BEHAVIOUR Flashcards
Anorexia nervosa
-a form of eating disorder that s defined by many symptoms :
-Fear of gaining weight
-Distorted body image -> body dysmorphia
-Food related anxiety
-Self-Disgust
A01 summary of Genetic model of AN
Some psychologists argue AN is caused by the genes
Biological approach
AN is
-nature
-disorder passed down
-Parents
-Predisposed
-DNA = instructions
=Studied by looking at family studies, particularly Twin studies
-Concordance rates - % chance that if one twin has it, so does another. Mz should be higher
-DZ and MZ explained
-Candidate genes
-On the whole this theory argues that Anorexia Nervosa is caused by genetics
Summary for Neural expl of AN
-Biological
-Brain -> nervous system
-Sends messages using neurons
-Synapse -> Neurotransmitters
-Serotonin - Dopamine
SEROTONIN
-AN produce too much serotonin (too much serotonin = too much anxiety), Eat = increases = provoke anxiety
- so Stop eating (alleviates anxiety) = serotonin drops = sensitive to serotonin. then eat again
vicious cycle
DOPAMINE
-For AN ,Too high in Basal ganglia (interprets pleasure), Overreactive dopamine receptors in B.G = anxiety provoking
-eating produces dopamine = anxiety
-So avoid eating
-On the whole, AN is due to an imbalance of NTs
what does the family systems theory say AN is caused by
what does it focus mainly on
Family interactions cause AN
mainly on relationship between mother and daughter
what are the 4 features the family systems theory argues an anorexic family to have
-enmeshment
-Overprotectiveness
-Rigidity
-Conflict avoidance
what is enmeshment
Members of anorexic families are overly involved with each other. The boundaries between them are ‘fuzzy’, the result of poorly defined roles.
This means that the self-identities of each family member are tied together
what is Overprotectiveness
Family members are constantly involved in protecting each other from external threats. They nurture each other which reinforces family loyalty and leaves no room for independence
what is Rigidity
Interactions within an anorexic family are extremely inflexible. members deny the need for change and try to preserve the status quo. This means the family can not adapt to circumstance change which results in crisis
what is Conflict avoidance
The foremost priority of an anorexic family is to avoid conflict, and members will take whatever steps necessary to to prevent or supress it. If any issue arises, they are not resolved
Consequences of Anorexic family
-Mother in particular is domineering, intrusive and discourages separation
-Daughter loses autonomy and control over life
-Self-starvation is an attempt to regain control and autonomy
-The thinner she gets, the greater her degree of control
-autonomy is achieved by disrupting dependence on mother
On the whole, AN is caused by ….
(family systems theory)
a lack of control which is caused by family interaction
Key ideas for the social learning theory of Anorexia
-Behaviourist approach -indirect learning
-AN is caused by observation and imitation
-people with AN observe role models who may be thin in the media
-Vicarious reinforcement
-Identification with models you are similar to
-Media + cultural influences
Mediational processes: Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, Motivation
SLT theory of AN on the whole..
AN is caused by observation and imitation
Cognitive theory of AN summary
-Cognitive distortions and faulty thinking is the cause of AN
1)Disturbed perceptions
2)Irrational beliefs
3)Cognitive inflexibility
Disturbed perceptions in AN
AN sufferers overestimate their body size and weight (body dysmorphia)
-They become more and more critical of their own body
-They misinterpret their emotional states with ‘feeling fat’
