Factors Influencing Attitudes to Eating Flashcards
Early Learning Experiences. Media. Mood.
Name three broad factors which affect our attitudes towards food and eating behaviour.
Early learning experiences
The role of media
Our mood
Which area of psychology and theory does early influences come from?
Behavioural Approach - Social Learning Theory
According to Social Leaning Theory what roles do parents have when it comes to shaping eating behaviour?
Parents are important role models and how well our parents model positive attitudes towards food will have an important effect on our own attitude as we grow up. Additionally, parents control all food that is consumed at an early age.
What did Weinstein find relating to early experiences?
WEINSTEIN: eating dinner at a table with parents made children feel more secure about themselves and encouraged good nutrition and lowered the risk of eating disorders and obesity.
What did Horodynski find relating to early leaning?
HORODYNSKI: 400 low income woment with kids (age 1-3) enrolled in Early Head Start programs in America. Found toddlers were less likely to consume 5 fruit/veg a gay if their mothers didn’t consume that amount. She concluded “what and how mothers eat is the most direct influence on what toddlers eat”. Supports Social Learning Theory as mothers are role-models.
What is the first effect does media have on eating to do with body image?
The media idealises skinniness in women and portrays a thin woman as a symbol of perfection. This a negative attitude towards eating. Vicarious re-enforcement for their success/popularity.
Give 3 practical applications of being aware of how the media’s portrayal of body image may influence eating behaviour?
We can educate young people about media industry tricks (eg. airbrushing)
Encourage young people to avoid celebrity/model culture.
Expose young people to positive body image campaigns (eg. Dove)
What is the second effect does media have on eating to do with association?
AFFECTIVE CONDITIONING. In advertising we are distracted from the reality of a product (HFSS) by being encouraged to associate it with a particular lifestyle, humour or character.
What restrictions were brought in on TV advertising? By who? What Year?
OFCOM (2006) reduce exposure of HFSS advertising to under 16s.
What is a wider issue of the media argument?
DETERMINISTIC: some argue that we have the free will to make our own choices and that we are not merely passive digesters of media. Additionally, it is reductionist and follows the behavioural approach strictly. COnsidering the biological approach which suggests we are hard-wired to seek out HFSS foods as they aided survival in EEA, we will seek out these foods regardless of what the media says.
What is the third negative effect of the media to do with?
MINDLESS EATING: those who watch TV food ads (particularly unhealthy ones) are more likely to snack on food at hand and are at higher risk of becoming obese. Yale Uni found that 7-11 yr olds who watched a cartoon with food ads at 45% more snack food than those who watched the cartoon with no food ads.
Given what we know about TV advertising making people mindlessly eat, what practical applications could be considered?
Either regulate the times at which unhealthy food ads are shown or only allow advertising of healthy foods.
What is a third factor as well as early leaning and media that affects eating behaviour? Explain.
Mood affects eating behaviour. Binge eating in Bulimia Nervosa is often triggered by anxiety. Some foods (eg. chocolate) stimulate the release of serotonin which gives immediate high. We have been classically conditioned through media and parents that certain foods are ‘comfort foods’.
What research supports the effect of mood on eating?
GARG ET AL: offered participants buttered popcorn or grapes as they watched a film. Those who watched the sad film ate 36% more butted popcorn whereas those watching a happy film ate significantly more grapes. They concluded that sad people want an instant kick so they go for foods that they know taste good to give then a rush of euphoria whereas happy people choose to be healthy to try to extend their happy mood.
What wider issue effects research into eating behaviour (methodological)?
Lad studies are highly controlled and lack ecological validity so does not reflect the choices that people would make in real life. On the other hand, self-report techniques lack empirical evidence and also lead to socially desirable answers.
