Key Question - Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?

Question 1

What is anorexia?

Answer 1

An eating disorder characterised by being extremely underweight (about 15% lower than it should be) and refusing to eat properly.

Question 2

When does it usually start and how do they see themselves?

Answer 2

In teenage years and as fat

Question 3

Problems for girls if they have anorexia?

Answer 3

They can stop menstruating

Question 4

What % of those waiting for treatment for anorexia are boys?

Answer 4

10-15%

Question 5

Crow et al (2009) claimed that

Answer 5

4% of people with anorexia die

Question 6

Side effects of anorexia….

Answer 6

tiredness, feeling cold, stomach pain, losing interest in socialising

Question 7

Why are celebrities a concern?

Answer 7

They promote a slim body image

Question 8

SLT - how can it explain role models causing anorexia?

Answer 8

Imitation of role models, girls likely to imitate girls (similar), trend for size 0 means thin is desirable - can be a result of anorexia, vicarious reinforcement, seeing them get praised = wanting to be thin too

Question 9

OC - how can it explain role models causing anorexia?

Answer 9

Rewards for being thin, praise eg, continue to do not eat to stay thin, negative reinforcement for being fat - teasing, will stop eating to not be teased

Question 10

+ Lai (2000) found that the rate of anorexia

Answer 10

increased for Chinese residents in Hong Kong as the culture slowly became more westernised

Question 11

+ Crisp et al (1976) found that dancers and fashion models were more likely to develop

Answer 11

anorexia nervosa

Question 12

+ Mumford et al (1991) found that Arab and Asian women were more likely to develop eating disorders if

Answer 12

they moved to the west

Question 13

+ Becker et al found that eating behaviours and attitudes following prolonged exposure to

Answer 13

tv changed among ethnic Fijian adolescent girls

Question 14

+ Cross cultural variations in the levels of anorexia support the learning approach explanation, because

Answer 14

different types of behaviour are modelled and reinforced in different countries. In countries with less emphasis on being thin, fewer people will suffer from anorexia.

Question 15

In what careers is anorexia most common?

Answer 15

Models or ballet dancers - implies that it is due to a pressure to be thin

Question 16

Where in the world is anorexia most common?

Answer 16

In westernised countries