In today’s society, Bulimia is becoming more prevalent than ever before which raises many questions for psychologists, psychiatrists, and scientists alike. Bulimia is defined as an eating disorder or medical condition in which a person participates in binge eating, fasting, and or purging, usually followed by feelings of guilt, shame, or remorse. Although Bulimia and binge eating have been known about and studied for years, we are still unsure of the acquisition of the disorder and how to differentiate those who have symptoms versus those who do not. As of 1988, there were three psychological perspectives that attempted to explain exactly what the disorder consists of, why the disorder is becoming so much more prevalent than it was in the past
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Some clinical theorists even believe “bulimia is simply a variant of major affective disorder”( Crandall, 1988 ). The clinical approach can potentially narrow down the list of people who are susceptible to eating disorders by isolating those who have predisposing psychological factors regarding their mental health. Although the clinical approach could potentially identify those who are susceptible or have the disorder, the predisposing factors that lead to bulimia could also lead to other disorders as well, such as depression. There is no empirical evidence that shows a direct correlation between predisposing mental factors and the acquisition of eating disorders, therefore, the same factors that could lead to bulimia could potentially lead to depression or other disorders as well. Feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem have been prevalent in our society for decades prior to the rise in eating disorders, therefore it is impossible to establish a direct correlation between eating disorders and other mental …show more content…
Crandall observed popularity patterns within social groups. Two sororities were tested, one of which was studied from the beginning of fall semester to the very end of spring semester, allowing researchers to observe changes over time. One result of this research was that those individuals who behaved less like the executive members of the social group, were less popular and well liked than those who conformed and behaved similarly over time. The members of sorority alpha held a social norm of binge eating moderately whereas in sorority beta, increased binge eating and increased popularity were concomitant. Regardless of the social norm within each sorority, all members displayed some level of similarity with their counterparts by the end of spring semester, but those who behaved less similar to the norm faced resentment from their group members. The only problem with this experiment is that it is nearly impossible to isolate those subjects who have predisposing risk factors, therefore researchers are limited to the amount of data that can be proven empirically. Most of this data shows clear concise correlations between social influences and pressures, risk factors, and social norms but not all of this can be deemed a statement of
Some clinical theorists even believe “bulimia is simply a variant of major affective disorder”( Crandall, 1988 ). The clinical approach can potentially narrow down the list of people who are susceptible to eating disorders by isolating those who have predisposing psychological factors regarding their mental health. Although the clinical approach could potentially identify those who are susceptible or have the disorder, the predisposing factors that lead to bulimia could also lead to other disorders as well, such as depression. There is no empirical evidence that shows a direct correlation between predisposing mental factors and the acquisition of eating disorders, therefore, the same factors that could lead to bulimia could potentially lead to depression or other disorders as well. Feelings of inadequacy and low self esteem have been prevalent in our society for decades prior to the rise in eating disorders, therefore it is impossible to establish a direct correlation between eating disorders and other mental …show more content…
Crandall observed popularity patterns within social groups. Two sororities were tested, one of which was studied from the beginning of fall semester to the very end of spring semester, allowing researchers to observe changes over time. One result of this research was that those individuals who behaved less like the executive members of the social group, were less popular and well liked than those who conformed and behaved similarly over time. The members of sorority alpha held a social norm of binge eating moderately whereas in sorority beta, increased binge eating and increased popularity were concomitant. Regardless of the social norm within each sorority, all members displayed some level of similarity with their counterparts by the end of spring semester, but those who behaved less similar to the norm faced resentment from their group members. The only problem with this experiment is that it is nearly impossible to isolate those subjects who have predisposing risk factors, therefore researchers are limited to the amount of data that can be proven empirically. Most of this data shows clear concise correlations between social influences and pressures, risk factors, and social norms but not all of this can be deemed a statement of