Eating behaviour - Biological explanations for AN

Question 1

WHAT ARE THE BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS FOR AN?

Answer 1

neural and genetic

Question 2

basis for neural explanations

Answer 2

human behavior is governed by the brain and nervous system
includes activity brain structures, neurons and neurotransmitters.
neurotransmitters = chemical messengers

Question 3

basis for genetical explanations

Answer 3

genes consist of DNA
DNA codes our physiological and psychological traits
genes are inherited by the offspring from their parents

Question 4

what two ways do psychologists research genes

Answer 4

candidate genes
twin studies

Question 5

explain genetical explanation of anorexia

Answer 5

anorexia = genes
biological approach
nature rather than nurture
people are PREDISPOSED to anorexia
study genes in two ways
twin studies - concordance rates
also , look for candidate genes
overall anorexia = genetical

Question 6

what should concordance rates be if the disorder is genetical

Answer 6

rates should be higher in MZ twins than DZ twins

Question 7

Evaluate genetical explanation for anorexia

Answer 7

+ research support - Holland
- problems with twin studies, environmental effect on behavior, heritability is artificially studies and genetics may have less involvement than TS suggest
+ research support from Zeeland
- reductionist, reduces the complex behaviors of anorexia
- alternative explanations

Question 8

WHAT WAS HOLLANDS RESEARCH?

Answer 8

45 female twins
concordance rates of 56% for MZ twins only 5% for DZ
suggests genetic influence

Question 9

what was Zeelands research?

Answer 9

1200 anorexics
1/152 genes showed a correlation between anorexia and genes
involved with cholesterol which makes sense since anorexics have high levels of cholesterol

Question 10

what neurotransmitters are involved in AN?

Answer 10

serotonin and dopamine

Question 11

explain the role of serotonin in anorexics

Answer 11

1) anorexics produce too much serotonin which causes anxiety
2) so they starve themselves to reduce serotonin (food contains serotonin)
3) because of reduces in serotonin their bodies become sensitive to serotonin
4) so when they do eat, serotonin is produced and they get more anxiety than they usually would
% this causes them to starve themselves again causing a vicious cycle

Question 12

where are dopamine receptors in the brain?

Answer 12

basal ganglia

Question 13

explain the role of dopamine in anorexics

Answer 13

1) AN is caused by overactive dopamine receptors in basal ganglia
2) role is to interpret pleasure
3) eating causes dopamine to be released
4) anxiety provoking for people with anorexia because they’re sensitive to it
5) so they avoid eating

Question 14

evaluate neural explanations of AN

Answer 14

+ research support - KAYE
- small, estrocentric sample, doesn’t account for MEN with AN, cannot generalize the theory
- reductionist
- cause and effect
- alternative explanations

Question 15

what was kayes research into NT?

Answer 15

pet scans on 10 women recovering from AN
compared to 12 healthy women
to compare dopamine
AN had more active dopamine receptors