Leaning Theory Key Q

Identify the Key Question

Is the influence of role models and celebrities something that causes anorexia?

Define Anorexia

An eating disorder characterised by extreme weight loss associated with anxiety to food and gaining weight

What is the anxiety associated to?

The fear of gaining weight

What is considered abnormal weight?

85% below the individual's normal body weight

What are the cognitive/mental effects?

  • Body-image distortion
  • Individual views themselves as much larger than they are
    (even when bones are visible)
  • This is bc 'thinness' is vital to their self - esteem
  • Therefore, they deny the seriousness of their low body weight

What are certain behaviours AN patients tend to adopt to avoid gaining weight?

  • Avoid food
  • Carefully monitor/Restrict food
  • Purge
  • Over - exercise

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What physiological effect does this lead to?
What is this caused by?

  • Amenorrhoea (the cessation of menstrual periods)
  • The absence of periods for more than 3 months
  • Caused by inadequate nutrition

Why is this a key question?
Why is this an important issue?
How does it affect society???

Media is everywhere from which we can learn (as shown by Bandura - 1960's SLT studies)

It's a life-threatening illness with the highest mortality rate amongst mental disorders, ranging from 13%-20%

Benefit to SOCIETY

If HEALTHIER SOCIAL NORMS/REGULATIONS are formed:

  • we can PREVENT this issue from forming
  • this beenfits the individual and their family
  • benefiting society as a whole if everyone was healthy
  • ultimately leads to an ECONOMIC benefit (less money spent on e.g. therapy)

Studies/Cases for support

Kelly Brownwell

How does Media affect AN?
What does it promote?

      Expert on food and weight management
  • Argues that the Media provides a toxic environment in which developing an eating disorder is more likely

Crisp et al. (1976)

found that dancers and fashion models were more likely to develop an eating disorder such as AN

Gregory et al. (2000)

Found in a survey of over 3000 girls - more than half said that the media made them feel that being 'pretty and thin is the most important thing'

  • The media promotes the ideal of attractiveness linked to slimness

How does the Media create a 'damaging paradox'?

  • promotes a low weight ideal body whilst the environment provides an increasing array of foods high in fat/calories with the pressure to consume
  • It's unrealistic for the model who has the idea body to obtain and maintain their figure if they actually ate these foods

Examples of forms of Media

  • Magazines
  • Television
  • Social Media Platforms

Evaluating the Key Q

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