Explanations of anorexia

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Social Learning Theory

Social learning theory= explaining behaviour via direct and indirect reinforcement. Learning theory + cognitive factors

Modelling: When a role model provides a template for behaviour that the observer can imitate. Can exist in real life or be symbolic (i.e. a character. They are influential because they modify social norms + provide examples of behaviour, and especially powerful when the observer identifies with them.

Vicarious reinforcement: When we repeat or duplicate behaviour we see others being rewarded for. So when we see others being rewarded for losing weight we want to lose weight. Family is a major source of VR because they spend alot of time together, younger children may see older relations being rewarded for their weight loss.

Media role: Provides lots of symbolic models, also communicates cultural body ideas via (for example) music vids. In the western world this image has become increasingly thin.

Identification & VR: Young people may identify with celebrities, who conform to this ideal of thin. Seeing them be rewarded with fame and success for their body shape could motivate people to want to be similar to them, so try to lose weight, which is reinforced by the success they see the celebrity getting.

KEY STUDY -- DITTMAR

> studied the Barbie and its affects on young girls, used barbies because they are so common among children

162 British 5-8 yr old girls divided into 3 groups, exposed to images of either BARBIES, EMME dolls (more realistic image of body), flowers/balloons/clothes as control.

After viewing these images girls rated how satisfied they were with their appearance through statements and also by coloring in body silhouettes (one depicting themselves and one depicting the body that they wanted to have)

FOUND THAT: Girls who saw barbie were very much dissatisfied with their body shape, and had much lower self esteem. Conclusion is that barbie was a powerful role model to young girls which they identify with. This results in them internalising barbies drastically thin body, leading to potentially harmful thoughts about their own.

EVALUATION:

Explains cultural changes; AN is increasing rapidly in non-western cultures, CHISUWA and O'DEA emphasise the increased rates of AN in japan recently as western ideal displace traditional ones. Driven by media- OZAWA found more AN symptoms in young Japanese women that read magazines.

Diathesis- Stress; many stressors exist that could trigger AN, SLT predicts media is one of them. BUT if this is true, we would expect more cases because of the level of exposure to young women. This suggests more factors are at play. The missing factor could be genetic- DIATHESIS. It could even be environmental i.e. childhood drama.

Explains Gender differences;