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Learning - Becker (2002) - Coggle Diagram
Learning - Becker (2002)
Aims
To find out if the introduction of Western TV into a community that has not previously experienced it would lead to an increase in unhealthy eating behaviour; specifically, to see if more young women would report purging (induced vomiting), dieting and body-dissatisfaction after the introduction of TV compared to earlier
Procedure
Sample
Two groups of Fijian schoolgirls in Years 5-7 (equivalent to Y11-13) all around age 17 on average. There were 63 participants in 1995 and 65 in 1998.
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The girls also received a semi-structured interview. They were all fluent in English but a translator was on hand to explain any cultural misunderstandings to the girls.
Results
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TV viewing increased, only 41% of households had a TV in 1995 but 71% in 1998
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Conclusions
Women in western TV programmes became role models for Fijian girls, who desired thinner bodies in order to look more like them
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Evaluation
Application
High in applicability because when asked, participants said they looked up to the tv role models. This means that they want to be more like the people they see on TV. This suggests that we can reverse use social learning theory to promote healthy eating through the use of role models. This will make the viewers idealise role models that are more realistic and than the people on TV at that time.
Validity
High ecological validity because TV was being introduced in Fiji without manipulation from Becker making it a natural experiment. This means that there is less probability for demand characteristics because the participants just answered questions, they weren't observed. Furthermore, the study having high ecological validity means that the findings can be generalised to real life situations.
Reliability
High reliability because the EAT-26 questionnaire used is very reliable and has been used in various culture settings. The questionnaire was used with both groups and a score over 20 meant the same thing in 1995 as it did in 1998. This means that it has test-retest reliability as different groups were presented with the same questionnaire and there was a positive correlation between the 1995 and the 1998 groups.
Ethics
Low ethics because everyone who scored over 20 on the EAT-26 was referred on to professionals for help but not followed up. This means that the experimenters weren't successful in protecting the participants from harm, endangering their health in the process.
Generalisability
Low generalisability because Fiji has such a strong culture of eating and distinctive notions of beauty and body shape. For example, those with a high BMI are usually seen as more attractive, which opposes Western beauty standards. This means that there may be problems generalising from Fijian girls to other cultures due to how unique Fiji is with its beauty standards.