Outline and evaluate psychological explanations of anorexia

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Christine

Outline and evaluate psychological explanations of anorexia

        There are 3 main psychological explanations of anorexia; behavioural, cognitive and the psychodynamic approach.  The behavioural approach is based upon the principles of classical and operant conditioning.  First the individual learns an association between slimness and admiration (classical conditioning), and therefore begins to diet.  He/she starts to receive more compliments on his/her slimness (operant conditioning), the extreme weight loss also gains attention.  It is believed that anorexia is influenced by the media as it creates a social norm that ‘thin is good’.  The thin models receive attention and admiration, and therefore their behaviour is imitated.

        The behavioural approach explains the cultural differences in the rates of anorexia, there are much higher rates of anorexia in western cultures as individuals are exposed to many thin role models and there is a different attitude to eating.  It also explains the gender differences (there are higher rates of anorexia in females), as the social norm for genders differ.  The increased rates of anorexia in general could be due to the increase of exposure to thin celebrities and slimness being seen as the social norm.

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        However, the behavioural approach cannot explain individual differences.  Everyone in the western culture are exposed to the thin celebrities, although a minority develop anorexia.  Also many people diet, but only a few develop anorexia.  Therefore the behavioural model alone is not sufficient as does not explain the differences between the individuals who develop it and those that don’t.

        There is also research that shows that anorexia is found in non-western cultures.  In Curaco; a non-western island, it was found that there were 6 cases in 44,192.  This is within the range of rates reported in western countries.  This study shows ...

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The writer discussed the behavioural and psychodynamic approach to anorexia but writes very little about the cognitive approach. The essay in general is very basic with references lacking dates. However, if the comments are taken on board this essay could be improved. The writer needs to explain what anorexia is and who it mainly affects first in the introduction. The writer needs to expand on the cognitive explanation of anorexia and references need to be added. Finally, the writer also needs to weigh up all the evidence in order to come to an objective conclusion. Star rating 3*.