classic and contemporary studies

• Becker 2002- aim

  To find out if the introduction of western Tv into Fiji that has not previously experienced it would lead to unhealthy eating behaviour
• Becker 2002- sample

  Used two groups of fijian school girls all around age of 17 There were 63 participants in 1995 and 65 in 1998
• Becker 2002- procedure

  First sample- The girls completed the EAT-26 questionnaire. They also completed semi structured interview answering questions on tv in their home and their measures of height and weight were taken.

  
  

  The 2nd sample were interviewed in 1998. They were asked additional questions such as “have you ever changed your diet to change your weight?”
• Becker 2002- results

  12.7% reported an EAT-26 score over 20 in 1995 compared to 29.2% in 1998- tv increase bad habits with food
• Becker 2002- conclusions

  Characters on tv shows act as role models for Fijian girls and they feel pressure to imitate the slim appearances of actors and models going against the normal culture which traditionally emphasises a fuller figure
• Becker 2002- generlisability

  The experiment involved two groups, both numbering in the 60s. This is a good size for a research sample, since one or two anomalous individuals (who, for example, watched excessive TV or no TV at all) should be “averaged out” by the rest.
• Becker 2002- cultural issues

  May be a problem generlising from Fiji as they value a strong culture of eating and distinctive notions of beauty and body shape
• Becker 2002- reliability

  Eat-26 questionnaire is widely used across different cultures and is very reliable- and was used in both groups test-rater reliability.
• Becker 2002- application

  Can help health workers and the need for more health spending. Studies like this may justify banning shows with extra thin models
• Becker 2002- validity

  is a natural experiment where the IV is not being manipulated, there may have been lots of changes in Fiji alongside televison introduction is it is difficult to be sure that TV is causing the changes in behaviour