Key Question Flashcards
Key question: Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?
Evaluation
Anorexia is characterised by extreme weight loss and anxiety around eating and weight gain, those who suffer with this try to reach an abnormally low body weight, around 85% below normal. Celebrities in the media would be considered role models due to their lifestyle being conventionally attractive. If role models portray unhealthy or unrealistic body weight/shapes, younger adults of the same gender may pay attention to this body image and feel pressured to also look and be this way.
Key question: Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?
Evaluation 2
Anorexia affects 1 in 200 adolescent and approximately 95% of those are female. There is more of focus in media around thin female celebrities such as models. Celebrities are often rewarded for promoting a slim body ideal via attention, fame and endorsements. SLT suggests that observers will be vicariously reinforced to imitate the same body image by engaging in extreme exercise or restricting their calories.
Key question: Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?
Evaluation 3
Pressure to stay and be a certain size and weight is more prominent in certain professions. Crisp et al found those who are dancers or fashion models are more likely to develop anorexia due to it being more common and expected to be smaller in these careers. Operant conditioning states that through positive reinforcement such as attention or compliments this damaging behaviour may be motivated and reinforced. Therefore, if dancers and fashion models are given attention or complimented for being ‘thin’ or slim, the disordered eating behaviour is reinforced and it maintains the continuation of weight loss behaviour
Key question: Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?
Evaluation 4
However, as majority of the population is exposed to media but only 2-3% of those develop anorexia it suggests other factors such as a biological element, where we can draw on the evidence from twin studies. Fairborn and Harrison (2003) found a concordance rate of around 55% for MZ twins for anorexia whereas for DZ twins it was only 5%. As MZ twins share 100% of their DNA this implies there is a genetic link in the development of Anorexia, presenting that learning theories may not account for all factors of this disorder.
