Describe one explanation of anorexia nervosa and evaluate this explanation using research studies and/or alternative explanations
Describe one explanation of anorexia nervosa and evaluate this explanation using research studies and/or alternative explanations
One explanation of anorexia nervosa is the biological approach (medical model). The basic assumption of this approach suggests abnormality is a result of a physical illness or disease, just like any other illness, such as chicken pox for example. Abnormality therefore has an underlying physical cause and in relation to eating disorders, this explanation suggests they are a physical illness. It provides genetic and biochemical explanations for the cause of eating disorders.
The genetic argument rests on the assumption that disorders are hereditary (passed on in the genetic information of parents to children). This idea argues that individuals with family members who have the eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, would therefore be at an increased risk of developing the disorder themselves. As yet, scientific research has not been able to identify specific genes associated with eating disorders. However, the American Psychiatric Association (1994) reports an increased risk of eating disorders among first-degree biological relatives which supports the idea that eating disorders may be hereditary. Although, families generally share the same home environment and so other factors may therefore have a causal influence. Foe example, the child may have learned the dysfunctional eating behaviours through simply observing their parents or siblings eating behaviour. Psychologists have therefore looked at evidence obtained from twin studies. There are two types of twins; monozygotic which are genetically identical and come from the same egg and dizygotic which are not genetically identical and come from two separate eggs. Holland (1984) carried out a study to investigate the role of genetics as a cause for eating disorders. His procedure was to measure the concordance rates of MZ and DZ twins for anorexia nervosa. His findings were that MZ concordance rate was 55%, whereas DZ concordance rate was only 7%. Holland concluded that the higher level of concordance amongst the MZ twins indicate genetic factors as having a causal influence on the development of eating disorders. However, the study does have its criticisms. The MZ concordance rate was not 100% despite the twins have the exact genetic makeup which indicates other factors do also influence.
One explanation of anorexia nervosa is the biological approach (medical model). The basic assumption of this approach suggests abnormality is a result of a physical illness or disease, just like any other illness, such as chicken pox for example. Abnormality therefore has an underlying physical cause and in relation to eating disorders, this explanation suggests they are a physical illness. It provides genetic and biochemical explanations for the cause of eating disorders.
The genetic argument rests on the assumption that disorders are hereditary (passed on in the genetic information of parents to children). This idea argues that individuals with family members who have the eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, would therefore be at an increased risk of developing the disorder themselves. As yet, scientific research has not been able to identify specific genes associated with eating disorders. However, the American Psychiatric Association (1994) reports an increased risk of eating disorders among first-degree biological relatives which supports the idea that eating disorders may be hereditary. Although, families generally share the same home environment and so other factors may therefore have a causal influence. Foe example, the child may have learned the dysfunctional eating behaviours through simply observing their parents or siblings eating behaviour. Psychologists have therefore looked at evidence obtained from twin studies. There are two types of twins; monozygotic which are genetically identical and come from the same egg and dizygotic which are not genetically identical and come from two separate eggs. Holland (1984) carried out a study to investigate the role of genetics as a cause for eating disorders. His procedure was to measure the concordance rates of MZ and DZ twins for anorexia nervosa. His findings were that MZ concordance rate was 55%, whereas DZ concordance rate was only 7%. Holland concluded that the higher level of concordance amongst the MZ twins indicate genetic factors as having a causal influence on the development of eating disorders. However, the study does have its criticisms. The MZ concordance rate was not 100% despite the twins have the exact genetic makeup which indicates other factors do also influence.
