Psychological Explanations of AN Flashcards
How does classical conditioning lead to AN?
being thin (UCS), not eating (NS), feeling good (UCR) -> not eating (CS), feeling good (CR)
How does operant conditioning lead to AN?
positive reinforces = compliments, fitness, control, negative reinforces = no anxiety due to weight bullying
How does the social learning theory lead to AN?
vicarious reinforcement through media figures
What evidence is there for SLT leading to more cases of AN?
Becker 2000: TV introduced, 63 girls questionnaires, 3 years later 65 different girls asked, vomiting to stay thin 3% before TV 15% after
What are the issues with Becker’s study?
2 different groups were used so difference in vomiting may be due to individual differences, only correlational
What are the practical applications of the effect of SLT on AN?
change media presentation of weight: more acceptable to be larger, don’t need to be thin for beauty and success
How does Freud explain AN?
eating is substitution for sex, repress sexual maturity
How do parents affect the development of AN?
Bruch 1980: ineffective parenting (feeding when children anxious, comforting when hungry) = children unable to distinguish between their internal needs, rely too much on parents, develop AN for personal control
What evaluation can be made of the psychodynamic theories?
difficult to falsify, Bruch: developed theory based on examining many case studies (individuals not representative though)
What is the practical application of psychodynamic theories for AN?
Wilson, Grilo, Vitousek 2007: psychodynamic/family therapy has been effective in treating eating disorders
How is the media (learning) explanation of AN cultural?
Sui-Wah 1989: AN rare in black populations and in China: cultural norms of respect for food, thinness not valued so not emphasised in media
What can the behavioural (learning) approach explain about AN?
gender differences: female stereotypes more associated with dieting, more male AN: male thinness stereotypes increasing (more AN in general), cultural differences (different weight norms)
What can the behavioural model not explain?
Individual differences: all in West exposed to thin model but few get AN, many people also diet but don’t develop AN, approach requires addition of biological/psychological (predispositions)
