Sociocultural models place the causes of eating disorders within a wider social context and the media, which by its nature helps shed light on why the problem is predominantly found in Western women. Here psychological disorders are indicative of underlying problems within the culture, conflicts within that culture then become ‘internalised’ by the sufferer. One such conflict is that of gender, where in today’s society there is a disparity between traditional gender roles (mother, carer) and modern expectations such as career success. Another conflict is related to identity, with modern women torn between being an independent adult versus being a dependent child (which also explains the onset being around 17). Orbach (1986) also argued that there is a disparity between the small body size and the way in which women were demanding more ‘space’ in a cultural sense. Sociocultural theories also explain how the culture dictates certain forms of psychological disorder and how individuals with eating disorders are following set ‘patterns’ demonstrated by previous sufferers; almost a ‘socially accepted’ way to be socially unacceptable. This again explains in further detail why the problem is predominantly experienced in Western culture; where other cultures will have their own unique ways to deviate.

The ‘thin ideal’ as portrayed by the media is also described as becoming ‘internalised’ by those with eating disorders. This internalisation then leads to body dissatisfaction and several studies have supported this theory, for example a study by Vander Wal et al. (2008) attempted to explain this by demonstrating a link between body dissatisfaction/thin ideal internalisation and measures of ‘social sensitivity’. They also found a correlation with elevated adiposity. Sociocultural explanations of eating disorders are adept in explaining why eating disorders affect those they do (Western women), but do not explain why not all Western women develop the disorders. Obviously there are other factors that make certain individuals more susceptible; perhaps those explained by the previous models.

Behavioural theories of eating disorders explain the influence of culture slightly differently by suggesting they may be the result of classical and operant conditioning. Leitenberg et al. (1968) postulated that anorexic patients have learned to associate food with anxiety through classical conditioning due to its connection with gaining weight. By not eating they then begin to lose weight which makes them feel good, even more so if they receive compliments, which acts as reinforcement resulting in operant conditioning and causing them to maintain the behaviour. It has also been suggested that some people may actually enjoy the feeling of being hungry in itself so that this might also provide reinforcement, or that in Bulimia the feeling of being sick could even be source of reinforcement.

This theory sheds further light on how eating disorders can occur and persist and also on why it is so prevalent amongst females in today’s Western culture where the ideal women are portrayed as being thin. Advertising and television constantly reinforces the idea that thin is good – far more so than in other cultures or eras where being more plump can be a sign of affluence or good nutrition. As such a female in our society is more likely to receive praise for losing weight. In much the same way that Pavlov conditioned dogs to associate the ringing of a bell with food, Western culture may cause women to associate thinness with desirability and happiness, and food with anxiety. This is similar to the related explanation offered by social learning theories which explain how ‘modelling’ occurs when one observes another acting in a certain way and being rewarded. Here anorexic patients may be trying to imitate their role models who are often themselves particularly thin – as is the case with many of today’s female celebrities. Another study found that in Fiji the prevalence of ‘disturbed’ eating behaviours among schoolgirls increased significantly upon the introduction of television; presumably as a result of exposure this ‘thing ideal’, which further outlines the impact of images in the media.

Mack LeMouse

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