SLT causing AN (non-bio explanation) Flashcards
How can SLT be linked to AN? (2 points)
Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (SLT) suggests that eating disorder behaviour can be learned through meditational processes
SLT explains how disturbed eating patterns and exercise routines develop through the observation and imitation of same-sex celebrity role models leading to AN onset
How can SLT can explain the development of Anorexia Nervosa? (4 points)
Attention - to behaviours exhibited by desirable role models with high status
+ Celebrity models in magazines and clothing adverts
Retention - the observer sees their role model promoting exercise routines and restrictive dieting
Motor Reproduction - teenagers are physically capable of controlling their dietary intake and exercise causing them to imitate observed behaviours
Motivation:
+ Teenagers might receive positive reinforcement through compliments for their weight loss
+ Vicarious reinforcement - seeing their role models rewarded with ‘likes’ on social media
What are the supporting and refuting arguments for SLT explaining AN?
Supporting:
S - Bandura
C - Becker
A - Application
Refuting:
O - Neurotransmitters
D - Reductionist (Van Zeeland)
How does Bandura (1961) support SLT as an explanation for AN? (4 points)
Bandura’s Original Bobo Doll experiment (1961)
Experimental group: 48 ppl, aggressive and non-aggressive role model
Control group: 24 ppl, no role model
Role model assembled tinker- toys for 1 minute, then hit the Bobo doll with a mallet and shouted verbal aggression ‘Hit him down’
Results demonstrated that boys copied an average of 25.8 aggressive acts from a male role model whilst girls copied 5.5 aggressive acts from a female role model
Shows how observation and imitation of same-sex role models can lead to learned behaviours in young people - can be applied to learning the restrictive eating behaviours seen in AN
How does Becker et al (2002) support SLT as an explanation for AN? (5 points)
Becker et al (1998) showed the impact of Western TV and media exposure causing disordered eating attitudes and behaviours among indigenous Fijian adolescent girls
Quantitative data including BMI and EAT-26 survey scores was collected from 65 media naïve participants pre and post-Western TV exposure after 3 years
The findings showed that EAT-26 scores increased from 12.7% in 1995 to 29.2% in 1998
Qualitative data was also collected in the form of semi-structured interviews transcribed using thematic analysis - participants felt that television content had influenced their body image in a negative way
SLT as an explanation of AN can be considered credible - quantified and falsified using patient self-report scales
How are neurotransmitters an alternate explanation for AN? (5 points)
Neurotransmitters suggest that chemical imbalances in the brain are the underlying cause of the eating disorder
AN patients are shown to have naturally high levels of dopamine, and so do not seek pleasurable activities like eating which can lead to the onset of weight loss and AN symptoms
Bailer et al (2011):
+ Measured serotonin activity in women recovering from either restrictive-type anorexia or binge eating
+ Found higher levels of dopamine and lower serotonin
Gorwood et al (2002):
+ Highlighted that anorexia patients are more likely to carry a particular variant of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor
+ Thought to increase the amount of serotonin in the brain during the non-starved recovery state
This tells us there are other explanations of AN which focus on biological causes rather than learning in social environments
How can SLT be considered reductionist as an explanation of AN? (4 points)
Reductionist - ignores other forms of learning like classical conditioning and cognitive and genetic factors
Strober et al (2000):
First-degree relatives of individuals with AN have a 10 times greater chance of developing AN than relatives of unaffected individuals
Twin studies demonstrate that individuals may inherit a gene variant, increasing the likelihood towards developing an eating disorder like AN
Kipman et al (1999)
Shown concordance rates of 44% for MZ and 12.5% for DZ anorexic twins - supports the idea of a genetic link
How does Scott Van Zeeland’s study support SLT being a reductionist explanation of AN? (4 points)
There may be a candidate gene which can lead to a genetic predisposition of some individuals towards AN
Scott-Van Zeeland et al. (2013) concluded there was an association between the EPHX2 gene variant which codes for the enzyme Epoxide Hydrolase involved in cholesterol regulation
Anorexics tend to have an aversion to foods rich in fat - might be explained by EPHX2 which could be used as a biomarker for anorexia
Therefore, SLT alone is not a complete explanation - unclear whether the onset of AN is caused by environmental SLT or by biology
How is SLT as an explanation for AN applicable to real life? (4 points)
Application of the SLT explanation is very important in real-life
Politically, the rise of eating disorders within a population can result in policy change - leading fashion brands (Gucci, Dior and Louis Vuitton) have banned size zero models in their advertisement campaigns
Positive applications of SLT could be to educate the public and young people on their social media exposure and the influence of celebrity role models
Social media platforms can place age restrictions and filters to block inappropriate content which could encourage teenagers to imitate fad diets and routines for weight loss
