SLT - Anorexia

Question 1

Outline and evaluate SLT explanation for anorexia Nervosa (16) LIST

Answer 1

1) intro:
2) modelling reinforcement )
3) maternal models
4) EVALUATE: maternal influence
5) peer influence:
6) EVALUATE: +VE: research support
7) EVALUATE: -VE: however, research
8) media influence
9) EVALUATE: support tv study

Question 2

Points

1) intro
2) modelling and reinforcement

Answer 2

1) bandura believed ppl learnt though observation
2) modelling: in order for it to happen, we model ppl such as peers or tv stars, they show examples of eating behaviour and attitude to food so ppl imitate
Reinforcement: when individuals imitate a models behaviour, peers respond either positively or negatively (may be reinforced for being skinny)

Question 3

3) maternal models

4) EVAl

Answer 3

3) research shows problematic eating behaviour is common in families where an individual has an eating disorder. Studies found out of ten mothers eating expectations, parents who complain about weight tend to have weight concerns themselves
4) Maternal influence is much more complex than SLT, research found no evidence for daughters imitating weight concerns. Furthermore it may be due to genes

Question 4

5) peer influence
6) EVAL
7) EVAL

Answer 4

5) peer influence is important as it may influence eating. One mechanism invovled is teasing. Research found that overweight girls and underweight boys are most likely to be teased, which suggests it enfused gender based weight. Peer dieting also influences (drive for thinness) (link to anorexia)
6) EVAL: research support: Costa-Font investigated the effect of peer weight on likelihood of developing anorexia. Found that those with larger BMI are less likely
7) EVAL: however, research also suggests no correlation among friends in measures of disordered eating in an adolescent sample.

Question 5

8) media influence:

9 evaluate: TV

Answer 5

8) Media: influential in western perception of body image. E.g thij models. Doesn’t affect everyone but research found it affects those w low self asteem more than others.
9) +ve: in Fiji, research took place w girls who had never experienced TV. They soon said they desired to lose weight.