Obs/ + imitation - Role
models valued/admired
(magazines, films, TV)
Model rewarded = imitation more likely
(vicarious reinforcement)
Direct reinforcement
(operant conditioning) =
imp/ - praised by peers
or parents for losing
weight, thinner
Female role
models = slim +
attractive.
Creates tension
bet/w real self +
ideal self. =
Dissatisfaction
w/ body weight
+shape = dieting
+ obsession w/
food
Striegal-Moore + Bulik (2007) - media images idealised women
e.g. Miss world (taller + slimmer over 50 yrs). Ass/ w/ rise in EDs
Becker et al (2002) - 1995 63 Fijian girls, questionnaire attitudes
to eating and TV viewing habits. 3yrs. 13% risk of ED 1st yr, 29%.
SLT - explains men EDs, depiction in mags - supplements/steroids. Explained by inf/ in media.
Most women exposed, few AN - other vulnerability factors (personality, social anxiety
+ low self-esteem) vulnerable. Poss/ genetic factors
Psychodynamic Explanations
Family Systems Theory - Minuchin et al
(1975) - Enmeshment (no identity, not
independent) - Unable to Resolve Conflict
(deny, ignore conflict transfer anxiety to AN
child. AN ettempt to divert attention from
fam/ conflicts
Bruch (1973) - Exert control. Girls trying to become
autonomous + independent. One area to control
Crisp (1980) - Preventing sexual maturity + gain control over
development. Prevent menstruation - unconscious desire
remain pre-pubertal (fear of adulthood)
Retrospective - fam/ interactions after ED - cause + effect
Difficult to test scientifically - case studies. Biased
samples, not representative, lack control + reliability