Key Terms Flashcards
Food Preference
The desire for certain foods that stem from the preferences of our ancestral animals. The preference for high-energy foods increases survival and reproductive chances.
Neophobia
The innate predisposition to avoid trying out new things and disappears once we learn that they are safe. It is an adaptive behaviour.
Taste Aversion
The innate predisposition to avoid potentially toxic foods, usually signalled by a bitter taste.
Social Influences
Behaviours developed, through modelling and imitation, from social factors I.e. Family, social media, Advertisement
Cultural Influences
‘Culture’ refers to the ideals, customs and social behaviours of a particular group of people or society
Hypothalamus
A small subcortical brain structure composed of 2 centres; the Lateral Hypothalamus (LH) and the Ventro-Medial Hypothalamus (VMH)
Ghrelin
A hormone secreted from the cells in the stomach wall, acting as a powerful appetite stimulant
Leptin
A hormone produced by Adipose (fat) cells that act as a powerful appetite suppressant
Biological Prepardness
The idea that we learn certain things more quickly than others, if they decrease chances of survival or reproduction
Adaptive Behaviour
Behaviour that increases the chences of survival and reproduction
Gentic Vulnerability
The innate predisposition that increases the risk for a disorder or condition
The Arcuate Nucleus
Detects Ghrelin levels and stimulates the LH to produce Neuropeptide Y
Neuropeptide Y
A powerful stimulant of hunger (neurotransmitter), associated with hunger and reduction in physical activity. It is secreted from the LH when Ghrelin levels are high.
CGAS
Candidate Gene Association Study
Family Systems Theory
A psychodynamic explanation that views dysfunctional family interactions as a major factor in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa (AN)
Enmeshment
Members of an anorexic family are over-involved and over-protective. Their self-identities are bound up with each other. Roles are poorly defined and there is little privacy.
Autonomy
The freedom in deciding how we should behave, and degree of independence from others.
Control (in anorexia)
The experience of being in charge of one’s own self and behaviour. People with AN are thought to struggle against family dependence for control, as they also do autonomy.
Social Learning Theory
Explanation of behaviour including both direct and indirect reinforcement, it combines learning theory with the cognitive factors
Modelling
Imitation of certain behaviours exhibited by role models
Reinforcement
A consequence of behaviour that increases/ decreases the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated.
Media
Communication channels (TV, films and books) through which news, entertainment, education and data are made available.
Cognitive Distortion
Faulty, biased and irrational ways of thinking that means we perceive ourselves, other people and the world inaccurately and usually negatively
Irrational Beliefs
Dysfunctional thoughts described interfering with a person’s happiness. They can lead to mental disorders such as depression and anorexia
Obesity
Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, often defined as a BMI; a person’s weight (kg) divided by the height squared (m2)
BMI
Body Mass Index- A person’s weight (kg) divided by the square of his or her height (m2)
Restrain Theory
A cognitive explanation argues that obesity is the paradoxical outcome of attempts to restrain eating (i.e. dieting)
Disinhibition
Normal Social constraints against certain behaviours can be weakened by environmental triggers. These behaviours appear socially acceptable therefore more likely.
Boundary Models
Explains how restrained eaters are less sensitive to satiety so need more food in order to feel full. When they break their self-imposed diet boundary they continue to eat to the satiety boundary, making weight gain more likely.
Dieting
The conscious attempt to lose weight, usually by restricting how much is eaten. Several biological and psychological factors influence the success or failure of dieting attempts
