Discuss PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS OF AN.

(8+16)

AO1 Media 

The media has been regarded as an explanation for anorexia nervosa. The media are a major source of influence for body image attitudes maintained by western adolescents. For example the portrayal of thin models on television and in magazines acts as a ‘model’ for adolescent girls in which they become concerned with body image and ‘thinness’ in order to imitate these models. The media however does not influence everyone in the same way for example individuals with low self esteem are more likely to compare themselves to idealised images portrayed in the media says Jones and Buckingham.

AO2 

There is empirical evidence to support this from Becker et al who studied the eating attitudes and behaviours of adolescent Fijian girls following the introduction of television. The girls state a desire to lose weight to become more like western television characters. However other research has shown that instructional intervention prior to media exposure to idealised female images prevents the adverse effects of exposure (Yamamiya et al)

AO2

Further research support comes from Groesz, Levine and Murnen who conducted a meta analysis of 25 studies and concluded that body dissatisfaction significantly increased after exposure to media images of thin women. The dissatisfaction was greatest in those with the most dissatisfaction prior.

IDA 

Research into media has had real world implications for example the fashion industry in France is trying to change the damaging influence of the media on the body image by promoting a more healthier body image among young women.

AO1  Pyschodynamic theory 

The psychodynamic theory by Hilde Bruch claimed that origins of AN are in early childhood. She distinguished between effective parents who respond appropriately to their child’s needs and ineffective parents who fail to respond their child’s needs. If a child cries because they are anxious, an ineffective parent may feed them or conversely may comfort them when hungry. Children of ineffective parents may therefore grow up confused about their internal needs, thus becoming overtly reliant on the parents. Adolescence does however increase desire to establish autonomy but adolescents are often unable to do so feeling that they do not own their body. To overcome their sense of helplessness they take excessive control over their body shape and size by developing abnormal eating habits e.g. AN.

AO2 

Bruch’s theory is supported by observations such conducted by Steiner et al in which parents of the adolescents with AN have a tendency to define,  their childrens physical needs rather than them allowing their child to define their own.

Further research by Button and Warren also supports Brush’s claim that people with AN rely excessively on the opinions of other, worry about how other view them and feel a lack of control over their lives.

AO2/IDA 

The issue of ethics should be considered particularly for the psychodynamic approach which suggests that the parents are to blame for their child’s disorder, which can cause a great deal of distress for the parents, and can cause more disruption within family environments.

Another criticism of the theory is that although the theory tends to fit certain cases, it is difficult to test using scientific methods. Evidence comes mainly from observations or anecdotal evidence in which has issues of reliability and cannot also be replicated making it not a scientific explanation but rather a speculative theory.

IDA 

Further more there is a gender bias in most research conducted into the AN. A recent studies shows that 25% of adults suffering of an eating disorder is male therefore this makes eating disorder not exclusively a female issue. However AN is more prevalent in women therefore the sample selection will involve more women.