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.psychlotron.org.uk

Anorexia Nervosa Classical conditioning Operant 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.psychlotron.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.psychlotron.org.uk

Bulimia Nervosa Classical conditioning A learned association between eating and comfort A learned association between fullness and anxiety www.psychlotron.org.uk

Bulimia Nervosa Operant conditioning Social learning 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.psychlotron.org.uk