Anorexia Nervosa And Bulimia Case Study

“Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: The Development of Deviant Identities", which was published in 1987, the researchers utilized the labeling theory in their study on anorexics and bulimic victims. The current appearance norms in society demand thinness for women and muscularity in men. Social and Individual factors were considered in the studies which were conducted by the authors, Penelope A. McLorg and Diane E. Taub. Advertising has become the primary agent of socialization which promotes the slimness of both genders in our society. The researchers noted conformity in the behavior of the anorexics ' and bulimics ' families because families tended to conform to the norm by making close relations between each other. In the study, the researchers …show more content…
They consistently excel in school and work and were displayed as "model child". They were usually strongly attached. Group members stated that their weight-loss efforts operated as “coping mechanism” such as for entering college, leaving home, or feeling of being rejected. Moreover, Anorexics received compliments which they were striving for, but then later the looks were being caught on. Bulimics were raising questions as to how they can eat so much, but be thin and have calluses on their hands. For several respondents, admitting they were anorexic followed the realization that their lives were disrupted by their eating disorder. In contrast, when the respondents were confronted about their eating disorder, most of them readily admitted that they were bulimic and that their means of weight loss was “abnormal.” They knew that it was wrong and unhealthy, but worth the physical risks. While the bulimics initially maintained that they 're purging was only a temporary weight-loss method, they eventually realized that their disorder represents a loss of …show more content…
As secondary deviants, respondents felt that their disorders “gave a purpose” to their lives. As a result of their disorder, the respondents compared their body shape and sizes with others around them. They also became sensitized to comments about their appearance, whether or not the remarks were made by someone aware of their disorder. Through accepting anorexic or bulimic identities, individuals centered activities around their deviant role, downgrading other social roles such as students, family members, and friends became less important to their eating and exercising became their formal routine. For examples, socializing was interfering with their compulsive exercising or binge