Eating Behaviour - Attitudes to Food

A2 AQA A Eating Behaviour - Attitudes to food

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  • Created by: Ashlee
  • Created on: 06-06-11 16:45

SLT

Social Learning Theory

This theory argues that through observation and imitation of a role model, eating behaviour and attitude can be learnt. 

Media, Parents and Peers have an influence 

MacIntyre et al - Found that media have a major impact on what people eat and attitudes towards certain foods

Parents have an impact in terms of what is brought into the home. For example, if the parents knowledge of food is poor, they will bring in junk food and food that is unhealthy for them and their kids which will influence they eating behaviour as they are only use to 'Bad Food' . Parents are key role models for the child as they influence their food preferences from a young age.

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SLT Cont....

A02 - Brown and Ogden

Reported consistent correlarions between parents and children in terms on snack, food intake, eating motivations and body dissastifaction. 

AO3

Could be due to a 3rd variable  such as money, if little money more likely to buy snacks than real food, mothers attitude if mother doesn't like body, child picks up of negativity and begins to question body shape. additionally correlation so cannot establish cause and effect. 

AO2 - Lowe et al

Showed videos of 'food dudes' who were older and enthusiatically consuming food that the younger children would usually refuse. by the end, exposure of the food dudes significantly changed food preferences. shows SLT as, imitated food dudes eating behaviour. 

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SLT Evaluation

Good because it makes good common sense how parents and media can influence eating behaviours

REDUCTIONIST - IDA

Reduces complex behaviour down to imitation of role models when imitation is a complex process

Ignores other approaches such as Psychodynamic or Biological

IDA - DETERMINISTIC

Determined by childhood experiences and doesn't take in account free will and the choices people make about food based on the circumstances. 

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Mood

Our mood affects what we eat, Many people comfort eat when they feel low 

MASKING HYPOTHESIS

States that overeating is an attempt to cope with emotional distress by cousing a momentary rush of euphoria caused by highly caloric intake

A02 Garg et al

Found that participants consumed 36% more popcorn when watching a sad film compared to an upbeat film who preferred grapes. It is thought that participants believe that they can jolt themselves out of gloom with comfort food whereas with the happy film, they want to prolong the happy mood by eating healthier food.

When participants were presented with nutritional information before the exam, more healthy food was considered. 

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