Evaluation of the Genetic Explanation of Anorexia
- Created by: Rachie S
- Created on: 07-02-17 19:37
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- Evaluation of the Genetic Explanation of Anorexia
- Supporting Studies
- Grice et al 2002
- Initial findings did not show any significant genetic evidence until they focused on a subgroup of 37 families where at least 2 relatives had been diagnosed with anorexia
- In this sample there was strong evidence for a susceptibility on chromosome 1
- Similar markers were found in afflicted pairs
- In this sample there was strong evidence for a susceptibility on chromosome 1
- Followed 192 families where 1 member had been diagnosed with anorexia and at least 1 other member had received an eating disorder diagnosis
- Initial findings did not show any significant genetic evidence until they focused on a subgroup of 37 families where at least 2 relatives had been diagnosed with anorexia
- Scott-Van Zeeland et al 2013
- Found a specific genetic link when comparing 152 different genes in a sample of women with & a group without anorexia
- There were significant differences in and around the EPHX2 gene
- The gene produces the enzyme which metabolises cholesterol
- The disruption to cholesterol processing could affect mood and eating behaviours
- Grice et al 2002
- Credibility & Comparison
- The research can be considered as reliable
- The concordance rates for anorexia are relatively consistent
- Replication can occur
- The concordance rates for anorexia are relatively consistent
- Research may not be generalised.
- The research comes from a volunteer sample of twins (limited sample)
- There could be bias as twins have similar characteristics as do volunteers
- The research comes from a volunteer sample of twins (limited sample)
- The MZ concordance rates aren't 100%
- The results are less accurate than expected
- The method lacks validity
- There must be other factors involved
- Though it is difficult to find the cause as genes and environment are hard to separate
- Although there may be a genetic, other factors must be involved
- UntiEnvironments must play a role, for example the environment in the womb.tled
- There may be validity issues
- With twin studies we tend to assume that MZ and DZ twins are treated the same
- However, MZ twins are identical so are much more likely to be treated similarly
- We may therefore overemphasise the importance of genetic factors in comparison to environment
- However, MZ twins are identical so are much more likely to be treated similarly
- With twin studies we tend to assume that MZ and DZ twins are treated the same
- The results are less accurate than expected
- The research can be considered as reliable
- Opposing Studies
- Wade et al 2007
- Researched Australian female twins
- Families of anorexics & bulimics
- Higher levels of parental expectation were associated with bulimia
- Higher levels of paternal protection were associated with anorexia
- Made frequent comments about weight and shape as the child grew up
- Families of anorexics & bulimics
- Environment has a role to play
- Researched Australian female twins
- Wade et al 2007
- Different Theory
- An alternative theory for anorexia is the socio-cultural explanation
- It suggests that Western culture has a large affect on the development of anorexia
- It suggests that environment and culture play a role
- There is research support from Nasser 1986
- UntiFound that none if the Egyptian women in Cairo developed anorexiatled
- 12% of the Egyptian women studying in London developed anorexia
- It suggests that Western culture has a large affect on the development of anorexia
- An alternative theory for anorexia is the socio-cultural explanation
- Application
- Some application
- If you can identify the genes responsible for anorexia then early intervention could help prevent the occurance
- This could help prevent anorexia in some individuals
- Not a useful treatment, it is prevention
- This could help prevent anorexia in some individuals
- If you can identify the genes responsible for anorexia then early intervention could help prevent the occurance
- Some application
- Additional Points
- There are other treatments that work despite not focusing on genes or biological factors
- The cause of anorexia must not be biological but environmental
- The explanation is credible and scientific
- There is a lot of research which is carried out in controlled lab conditions
- This allows for replication and objective analysis
- There is a lot of research which is carried out in controlled lab conditions
- Conan et al 2003 agrees with the diathesis stress model
- Found that a genetic predisposition led to changes in early like ot the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) which can alter appetite regulation
- The diathesis stress model could be important
- This suggests that people may have a genetic predisposition to a disorder which occurs/ develops only in the right environment
- Therefore, the genetic explanation is reductionist and ignores important environmental factors
- This suggests that people may have a genetic predisposition to a disorder which occurs/ develops only in the right environment
- There are other treatments that work despite not focusing on genes or biological factors
- Supporting Studies
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