Learning Theories Key Question

• What is the key question in learning theories regarding anorexia nervosa?

  Is the influence of role models and celebrities a cause?
• What characterizes anorexia nervosa?

  Extreme weight loss and anxiety related to eating
• What is a clinical symptom of anorexia?

  Loss of period (amenorrhea)
• What percentage below usual body weight is considered anorexic?

  85% below usual body weight
• What behaviors do anorexia patients exhibit regarding food?

  They avoid food and monitor calories
• At what age range do 85% of patients develop anorexia?

  Between the ages of 13-18
• What percentage of people with anorexia die prematurely?

  20% of the estimated 1.6 million
• What percentage of anorexia sufferers are female?

  90% are female
• What is the mortality rate for anorexia?

  13-20%
• How does media influence body image in Western societies?

  Promotes slim body types as ideal
• What is considered beautiful in non-Western cultures like Fiji?

  Plumpness represents fertility and richness
• What percentage of people own a TV and how much time do they spend watching it?

  95% own a TV, spend 3-4 hours
• Why is the key question about anorexia important?

  To reduce rates of anorexia and mortality
• How much does anorexia cost the NHS?

  £100 million
• What is the damaging paradox related to anorexia?

  • Media promotes low weight as ideal
  • Environment offers high-sugar, high-fat foods
  • Creates anxiety about achieving body ideals
• What correlation did Owens et al find regarding body shape and anorexia?

  The ideal body shape has become smaller
• What did Eysenck and Flanagan conclude about media exposure and anorexia development?

  Only 3-4% develop anorexia despite exposure
• What is social learning theory in relation to anorexia?

  • Learning via observation of role models
  • Media shows celebrities praised for being skinny
  • Individuals with low self-esteem may imitate behaviors
• What is vicarious reinforcement in the context of anorexia?

  Seeing celebrities praised motivates imitation
• How can pro-social models help in anorexia prevention?

  Plus-size influencers can reverse negative effects
• What does the psychodynamic explanation suggest about anorexia?

  • Caused by fear of adult sexual roles
  • Starvation maintains a child-like frame
  • Fatness symbolizes pregnancy fears
• Why might young girls starve themselves according to psychodynamic theory?

  Unconscious belief that eating leads to pregnancy