Sociocultural explanation - SCT

Exposure to thin ideals

• Individuals may observe others (celebrities, peers, or family members) who endorse thinness as a desirable trait

• The media depict a "thin ideal" as a standard of beauty and success

• Adolescents may internalise these ideals by observing how others are praised or rewarded for their appearance

Imitation of behaviours

• A person with a strong desire to be thin may model the behaviors of individuals they admire, such as restrictive eating, excessive exercise, or purging

• For example, seeing a role model portray dieting as a way to gain attention and admiration can reinforce the desire to emulate these behaviours

Self-control over eating

• A person with AN may develop a strong sense of self-efficacy around controlling their eating behaviors

• They may feel empowered by their ability to restrict food intake, believing it gives them control over their body and their life

• This belief reinforces the cycle of restrictive eating and disordered behaviors.

Positive reinforcement

• When an individual succeeds in losing weight, it can enhance their self-efficacy and make them more determined to continue their restrictive eating patterns

• This sense of accomplishment can make it difficult for the person to break the cycle of anorexia

Internalisation of societal norms

• For someone with anorexia nervosa, their cognitive system may become heavily influenced by the belief that thinness is equated with worth, success, and acceptance

• This leads them to internalise these standards as their own

• This cognitive shift can lead to extreme behaviors aimed at achieving the thin ideal.

Distorted body image

• People with AN often have a distorted perception of their body size and shape

• Cognitive distortions such as "all-or-nothing thinking" or "catastrophizing" are common in anorexia

• These distorted beliefs reinforce disordered eating behaviors and contribute to the maintenance of the disorder.

Name of study

Becker

Becker aim

To explore the impact of Western media on eating behaviors and body image in Fijian adolescent girls.

Becker procedure

• In 1995, Fijian culture had little emphasis on dieting or weight loss.

• By 1998, Western-style TV had been introduced, and the girls were exposed to Western ideals of thinness

• 1995 = 63 girls, 1998 = 65 girls all 14-18

• Both groups completed EAT-26 questionnaire to assess attitudes and behaviours on eating, dieting and body image

• Semi structured interviews conducted to collect data on dieting, body image and generational differences

• Participants weight and height were measured

Becker results

• EAT 26 score: 1995 = 12.7%, 1998 = 29.2%

• In 1995, dieting was rare, but 1998, 69% reported dieting

• In 1995, no purging reported, 1998, 11.3% reported purging

• 74% felt too big or fat

• 77% said TV influenced their views on their body

Becker conclusion

Exposure to western media led to the internalisation of western ideals of thinness, creating a shift in eating attitudes and body image in Fijian adolescents