EATING BEHAVIOURS

Question 1

what did Denton (1982) find about food preference

Answer 1

an innate preference for salt is found in many varying animal species

Question 2

Overall Eval of Evolutionary expl of eating beh.

Answer 2

😊 Research Support – Logue,
☹ Difficulty studying neonates
☹ Problems with R.S
☹ Deterministic
☹ Research against – Drewnowski

Question 3

what did Logue (1991) find about food preferences

Answer 3

human tongue has specific receptors for detecting sweetness.
Not the case for other tastes = non specific receptors.

Also more receptors for detecting sweetness than for any other tastes

Question 4

Support for food prefernces made by observations of animals

Answer 4

Fondeness for sweetness can be found throughout the animal kingdom.
Animals will go to great trouble to get sweet tasting foods e.g: bear get stung by bees

Question 5

What did Drewnowski et al (2001) find about taste aversion

Answer 5

some people are very sensitive to some bitter tastes whereas other people aren’t

Question 6

What did Steiner (1977) find about food preferences

Answer 6

-Newborn babies showed:
-positive facial expressions after sugar placed on tongue
-Negative facial expressions in response to bitter tastes

Question 7

Eval of Learning in food preferences

Answer 7

😊 Research Support –Meyer and Gast (2008)
😊 Research Support – Brown and Ogden
☹ Problems with both R.S - correlation
😊 Research Support – Macintyre et al (1998)
☹ Alternative Theory - Evolution

Question 8

Brown and Ogden (2004) Learning eating behaviors

Answer 8

reported consistent correlations between parents and their children in terms of snack and food intake, eating motivation and body dissatisfaction

Problem = correlation + family study = genetics?

Question 9

Macintyre et al (1998) learning preferences

Answer 9

found that media have a major impact on what people eat and their attitude towards food

Question 10

Meyer and Gast (2008) learning preferences

Answer 10

surveyed 10-12 yr old boys and girls. Found significant positive correlation between peer influence and disordered eating

Problem = correlation

Question 11

2(+) of Neural control of eating behaviours

LH

Answer 11

(+)Anna + Brobeck (1951)
Rats and cats
found that lesions to the LH lead to aphagia (undereating)
Suggest eating behaviour is controlled by the hypothalamus

(+) Lashley + Brobeck = studied rats. Lesions to VMH = overeat . Lesions to LH = undereat

Question 12

3 (-) of Neural control of eating behaviours

Answer 12

(-) Anna + Brobeck lacks cross species validity
(-)Reductionist - more likely a combination of factors
(-) Deterministic. Determined by Neural mechanisms
(-) Alt. expl. Hormones

Question 13

all eval for genetic expl of AN

think Scandinavia

Answer 13

(+) Holland et al (1988) Studied 45 pairs of female twins. Found a concordance rate of 56% MZ 5% DZ.

(-) Ignores environment. Not 100% MZ so must be other factors

(+) R.s Scott Van zealand- Candidate gene association study
epoxide hydrolase 2.

(-)Biologically reductionist

(-)Alt. expls = SLT. Observe + imitate people in media

Question 14

(+) R.s Scott Van zealand

Answer 14

Candidate gene association study
sequences 152 genes suspected to be related to AN.

Discovered only one Gene to be significantly associated with AN = epoxide hydrolase 2. code for enzyme involved in cholesterol metabolism

Question 15

eval hormonal expl of eating behaviours

Answer 15

(+)R.s Wren- Ghrelin inject = eat more
(+) Licinio - ppl can’t produce leptin. given leptin = 49% reduced food intake
(-) Reductionist
(-) Deterministic
(-) Alt expl

Question 16

3(+) neural expl of AN

Answer 16

(+)One advantage of this theory is that it has research support. For example, Kaye et al (2005) conducted PET scans on 10 women recovering from AN and 12 healthy women in order to compare dopamine activities. They found that over activity in dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia of the women recovering from AN. This suggests that dopamine does play a role in AN, increasing the validity of the neural explanation.
(-) small sample btw
(+), there is further research support. For example, Castro-Fornieles et al (2006) found adolescent girls with AN had higher levels of HOMOVANILLIC ACID (a waste product of dopamine). This suggests that dopamine, thus neurotransmitters do play a role in AN, once again increasing the validity of this theory.
(+), this theory does hold some practical application. For example, if we know that AN is caused by neurotransmitters then we could potentially provide drugs to address these issues and treat the disorder. This means that the theory is useful.

Question 17

2(-) neural expl of AN

Answer 17

(-)Kaye et al. However, this research could be criticised because of it’s small sample. For example, they only had an estrocentric sample of 22 in total. This is relatively small and does not account for men with AN. This means that we cannot generalise the notion that dopamine plays a role in anorexia to many people. This weakens that support for the theory, and in turn questions how applicable it is.

(-)However, some would criticise this theory for its reductionism. For example, it reduces the complex disorder of AN to a very basic level; being neurotransmitters. It is unlikely that only serotonin and dopamine alone are responsible for the development of this disorder. Neurotransmitters do not even operate in isolation, but in complex interactions. It is more likely that AN is caused by a combination of factors, not just neural, but genetic and psychological factors too, the interaction of which increasing the likelihood of its development. You could therefore question the validity of this explanation on the grounds of simplicity.
or
(-)Furthermore, a final disadvantage of this theory is that it is deterministic. For example, it suggests that AN is determined by neural activity. This ignores the notion of free will and the idea that we have some choice over our behaviour. People may feel that they have some control in the development of such an eating disorder but this theory does not recognise this. Therefore, some may question its feasibility.

Question 18

3 (+) family systems theory

Answer 18

(+) R.S Brockmeyer. studies 112 female AN patients and health control p.p. Found AN patients showed a significantly greater desire to be autonomous. A similar finding from an earlier study also showed female AN patients were were more controlling with their own behaviour and differentiated less clearly between themselves and family members

(+)P.A Behavioural Family Systems Therapy. this attempts to disentangle family relationships and encourage AN to engage with more people outside of family circle

(+) can explain the complex nature of AN better than many other expls. Explains why the disorder tends to first appear in adolescence and why it disproportionally effects females

Question 19

2 (-) family systems theory

Answer 19

(-) Cause and effect. Family dysfunction<-> Anorexia. Features of anorexic family may be consequence of having anorexic daughter
(-)Very rigid template for AN so can’t be considered a complete theory. Focus on females. Still many men with AN. Oestrocentric

Question 20

Overall Evaluation of the role of neural and hormonal mechanisms

Answer 20

(+) Lots of research support​

(+) Lots of research on non-human animals​

(+) Practical Application​

(-) Reductionist​

(-) Ignores the role of social and cultural factors – are they more important in the modern day?

Question 21

Evaluate Cognitive theory of anorexia

Answer 21

(+)R.S Williamson : AN overestimate their body size. expl- AN = body dysmorphia

(-) problem with R.S, e.g: small sample (37)

(+) R.S, Larger sample e.g: Halmi, Found perfectionism as a predictor of AN. (728 wider sample) so is a risk factor. Suggest AN = Irrational beliefs such as perfectionism.

(-) Issues with causation. Faulty thinking <-> AN original?

(+)P.A, CBT

EXTRA
(-) Reductionist

Question 22

biological neural expl of Obesity

Answer 22

(+) Ohia et al. (2013) Genetically modified mice to have no 2C (serotonin) receptor. Mice developed late-onset obesity

(-) Cross species

(+) Ritchie + Noble (2003) -Found that people with a variant of the DRD2 gene had 40% fewer D2 receptors and were more likely to overeat.

(-) Reductionist

(-) Alt. expls. psychological approach

Question 23

Disinhibition and Restraint theory
4 Eval points

Answer 23

RESTRAINT
(+) Wardle + Beales Restraint Restrained eaters ate significantly more
(-) bias sample
(-) Savage et al. Restraint -negative correlation between restrained eating and weight

DISINHIBITION

(+) Boyce + Kuijer (2014) Disinhibition images of ‘thinness’

Question 24

what did Wardle and Beales find about Obesity

procedure

Answer 24

-27 obese women - 7 weeks

-3 groups - diet, exercise, control

-Food intake assessed 4th and 6th week

FOUND

Restrained eaters ate significantly more

(-) ONLY WOMEN

Question 25

Boyce + Kuijer (2014) findings

Answer 25

Found that exposure to images of ‘thinness’ caused significant increase in eating in restrained eaters compared to control

Supports externa cues

Question 26

Savage et al Research into obesity

restraint

Answer 26

-Longitudinal study of 163 women

Found
-negative correlation between restrained eating and weight

Question 27

Overalll evaluation of The boundary model

Answer 27

(+) Ogden
(+)P.A - dieting companies
(-) Indiv. diff. not all obese people are dieting
(-) Alt. theories. Biological research = Ritchie + Noblle
(-) Rigid vs flexible restraint

Question 28

Ogden (2003) Boundary model R.S

Answer 28

(2003) Tested in a laboratory.
-Gave dieters and non-dieters a taste test.
-P.p given either a high calorie ‘pre load’ snack or a low calorie snack.
-After eating, p.p told they were taking part in a taste preference test.
-p.ps lefts alone to eat
-How much they ate was recorded

Found:
-Non-dieters reduced food intake after high calorie
-Dieters increased food intake after high calorie
-Dieters ate less after low calorie

Question 29

(-) Alt expl with research:
Ritchie and Noble (2003)

Boundary model

Answer 29

Found people with a variant of DED2 gene had 40% fewer D2 (dopamine) receptors and more likely to overeat

Question 30

Evaluate whole psychological expl of obesity

Answer 30

Restraint
(+) R.S Wardle + Beales
Disinhibition
(+)R.S Boyce + Kuijer
Boundary
(+)R.S- Ogden
(+)P.A - dieters
(-) Alternative theories: Biological Explanations

Question 31

Overall eval of Detail theory

Answer 31

(+) R.S Redden. jelly beans
(-)Lacks ecological validity
(+)P.A dieter + companies
(-)Indiv. Diff. Doesn’t work for all
(-)Alt.expl

Question 32

Redden research (2008) into Detail theory

Answer 32

-Group 1 given general info on a computer e.g: ‘bean no. 7’
-group 2 given specific info on computer e.g: cherry flavour bean no. 8’

Found:
-Group one grew bored more quickly
-Group 2 enjoyed the task more
-Suggests detail leads to enjoyment

Question 33

Wegner research support into role of Denial in dieting

Answer 33

Wegner et al (1987) asked some p.p not to think about a white bear, but to ring a bell if they did.
-Told others TO think of a white bear
FOUND those told NOT to think of the bear rang their bells far more often

Question 34

Overall evaluation of dieting theory

Denial

Answer 34

(+)R.S Wegner. white bear
(-) Problems with research. Lacks ecological validity -Not about dieting -
(+) R.S, Adriaanse -> Not thinking about chock = Thinking + eating more of it
(-) Gender bias, only women

x
(+) R.S - Soetens (restrained eaters who used thought suppression ate more)

Question 35

Adriaanse et al (2011) Research support of the role of Denial

Answer 35

Studies women trying to stop snacking behaviour. presented with dieting intentions in a bad form e.g: When I am sad I will not think of chocolate’.
Found such statements had an ‘ironic rebound effect’ and increased the consumption of chocolate. Effect was not only cognitive, but behavioural (reinforced via the statements)

Question 36

Social learning theory

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 36

😊 RS – Fearn
😊 RS – Becker
😊 RS - Chisuwa and O’Dea
😊 Practical Applciations
☹ Ignores nature

Question 37

RS – Fearn

Answer 37

studied young women living in Fiji

Western TV introduced in 1995
Found by 1998, 74% of Fijian women reported as being too big or too fat

whereas eating disorders were previously unknow to the island

Question 38

R.S - Becker (2011)

Answer 38

natural experiment on island of Fiji
found most significant predictor of eating disorders was ‘social network media exposure’
which was the ammount of friends and schoolmates who had access to TV, video and DVD rather than Hours actually spent watching TV

Question 39

R.S Chisuwa and O’Dea

Answer 39

Highlight increased rates of AN in Japan over past 40 years as the previous traditional values of favouring ‘plumpness’ as a sign of good health is being displaced by western ideal of ‘thinness’

Question 40

eval Genetic expl of Obesity

Answer 40

(+)R.S Stunkard - Adoption
(-) Correlation

(+)Ritchie + noble - no DrD2 gene 40% fewer D2 receptor
(-) twin studies bad
(-) Reductionism
(-) Determinism

Question 41

R.S - Stunkard

Answer 41

Adoptions study
540 adoptees
strong correlation between weight and bio parent weight

No correlation between Adoptive parent weight