Eating behaviour - cognitive and SLT explanations for AN

Question 1

what is the basis for cognitive explanations ?

Answer 1

cognitive psychologist aim to asses the private operations of that mind that cannot be researched through observation. for example, thinking and memory.

Question 2

what do cognitivists think AN is caused by?

Answer 2

faulty thinking and irrational beliefs

Question 3

what irrational beliefs do AN sufferers have?

Answer 3

perfectionism
disturbed perceptions
all or nothing thinking
catastrophizing
cognitive inflexibility

Question 4

what develops after irrational beliefs?

Answer 4

they become second nature and give rise to automatic, absolute negative thinking

Question 5

explain all or nothing thinking

Answer 5

there is no degree of things, you are either thin or fat.

Question 6

explain catastrophizing

Answer 6

thinking the worst of situations such that they eat half a biscuit and believe they’re eating too much

Question 7

explain perfectionism

Answer 7

• that they must meet the most demanding standards 100% of the time
• this applies in every area of life specifically eating
• usually followed by record keeping, to make sure they meet weight goals
• makes them resistant to treatment as they want to keep excessive exercise and starvation

Question 8

explain disturbed perceptions

Answer 8

perceptual errors not having an accurate grasp of reality of their body weight, characterized as body dysmorphia

Question 9

explain cognitive inflexibility

Answer 9

• this means that they have rigid fixed views finding it difficult to go from one task to another.
• this is called set shifting

Question 10

what is set shifting

Answer 10

They are fixed on the behavior of losing weight and struggle to switch their behavior when they lose weight and so persist on losing weight. Even though losing weight is not accurate for their new setting, they are unable to perceive the situation accurately.

Question 11

explain the role of modeling in the SLT for AN

Answer 11

perhaps children’s respect and admire role models perceiving them as successful and glamorous. They then associate these positive traits with their thinness and aim to be thin.

Question 12

who is a model?

Answer 12

• a model provides a template of behaviors that an observer desires to imitate
• the model can be real/symbolic

Question 13

explain the role of VR in the SLT of AN

Answer 13

• model = rewarded for loosing weight
• observer ^ chance of copying the behavior of loosing weight since they desire same praise

Question 14

who is the main source for VR for AN sufferers?

Answer 14

• family members

Question 15

why are family main source of VR for AN sufferers?

Answer 15

spend a lot of time together
observation is persistent
if food restriction is often rewarded they child will have more VR that increases imitation

Question 16

role of media in AN

Answer 16

show images of ideal body size and shape which risk young women identifying with. Which might motivate them to become thin this would be vicariously reinforced through observing the fame success and wealth of models

Question 17

summary a01 for slt of anorexia

Answer 17

1) what is the basis for social learning theories (bandura) - behaviour is learned through direct and indirect rienforces
2) the role of modelling
3) vicarious rienforcement
4) role of the media - rienforcement and identification
5) ditmmars research

Question 18

what is a social learning explanation?

Answer 18

behaviour is learned through direct and indirect rienforces , combining both the cognitive and behaviourist approaches to psychology

Question 19

why are models influetnial?

Answer 19

• they can modify behaviour suggesting what is normal and acceptable to do
• they are most influential if you IDENTIFY with them because you try harder to match their behaviour (not eating)