Key Question Flashcards
What is the learning key question?
Does media influence eating disorders?
When is anorexia diagnosed (BMI)?
When BMI falls below 17.5
How does anorexia impact people?
Long term implications (e.g. disruption to menstrual cycle, tiredness and physical pain); not working; costs the NHS to treat the disorder; higher in women than men (between 3:1 and 10:1)
How does classical conditioning explain media influence on eating disorders? (AO2)
Advertisers use classical conditioning to associate thinness/fashion with fame and popularity, encouraging weight loss and reduced BMI
How does operant conditioning explain media influence on eating disorders? (AO2)
Suggests if someone is complimented on initial weight loss they will continue to lose weight, making them ill
How does social learning theory explain media influence on eating disorders? (AO2)
Celebrities and models are used to advertise products (e.g. fashionable clothing so individuals will observe and imitate these roles models), particularly through vicarious reinforcement where models will get lots of attention and praise for their looks)
How can the learning key question be conflicted in regards to correlation?
Link between celebrities and anorexia is purely correlational and there are other factors involved in the disorder so can’t say that only exposure to the media causes disordered eating
How does Bandura support the learning key question?
Demonstrates that behaviours can be learned via watching role models so supports that the media may influence dieting behaviour so it is a credible explanation of how the media causes eating disorders
How does Holland conflict the learning key question?
Found high concordance rates for MZ female twins compared to DZ female twins (55% vs 7%) so may be genetic in cause rather than due to media
How does Becker support the learning key question?
Demonstrates that behaviours can be learned via watching role models which supports that media influences dieting behaviours so is a credible explanation of how the media causes eating disorders
How does Groesz support the learning key question?
Review of 25 studies showed that a slender beauty ideal causes body dissatisfaction and contributes to eating disorders
How does Fearn support the learning key question?
Increase in eating disorders in Fiji with the introduction of American television programmes which emphasised a westernised idealised body shape
