AQA-PSYA3-Eating Behaviours- Social Learning Theory-Studies

What did Brown and Ogden find? (Parental Modelling)

Brown and Ogden found consistent similarities in food intake, eating motivations and body dissatisfaction with mothers and children. 

Describe the research study by Nicklaus et al.

(this study provides information for AO1, evaluation points to this study provides a basis for AO2/3)

Nicklaus et al. 

Where? France 

Who? Participants in 4 age groups. 4-7, 8-12, 13-16, 17-22.

Used: Data collected for the 2-3 year olds on their food preferences at nurseries. 

What? Children allowed free choice on food, The children and families were invited to take part in a follow up study a few years after.

How? Questionnaire on current food preferences.

Findings: Correlations between food preferences between mother and child at ages 2-3, 4-7 significant. Later ages were not. Some increase for vegetable preferences with age. Some decrease in preferences with meat with age for females, remained stable with males.  

Conclusions: Preferences in early adulthood/ adolescence became influenced by exposure. Supports the role of social, psychological and cultural factors influencing food preferences in adolescences and early adulthood. Preferences at a later age related to preferences at ages 2-3, highlighting the importance of early experiences. 

Give any ethical and methodological issues from this study. 

Demand characteristics: The follow up study involved questionnaires/ interviews.

Ethical Issues: No need for deception. Participants could give fully informed consent.