Eating Disorders

• Behavioural explanation– Psychological disorders are the result

of abnormal learning experiences– Eating disorders are a set of learned

emotional and behavioural responses to food, eating and the body

www.

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk

Anorexia Nervosa

• Classical conditioning– A Learned association between eating

and anxiety

• Operant conditioning– Reinforcement of dieting/weight loss

behaviours• Compliments from others (positive reinforcement)• Avoidance of e.g. bullying (negative reinforcement)

www.

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk

Anorexia Nervosa

• Social learning– Observation of slim models being

admired/successful (vicarious reinforcement)

– Observation of overweight people being punished

– Tendency to imitate in order to obtain same reinforcers and/or avoid same punishments

www.

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk

Bulimia Nervosa

• Classical conditioning– A learned association between eating

and comfort– A learned association between fullness

and anxiety

www.

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk

Bulimia Nervosa

• Operant conditioning– Binge eating make the person feel better

when anxious/depressed– But this leads to anxiety about feeling full– Purging reduces anxiety about feeling full– In both cases, negative reinforcement

• Social learning– Not a major role, but might play a part

e.g. in dancing schools where BN is prevalent

www.

psyc

hlot

ron.

org.

uk