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Side A ------ Side B
Anorexia
Description ------ Less than 85% below normal body weight
Failure to lose weight leads to anxiety
Body perception distorted
Dry skin, dehydration, malnutrition, brittle nails, thinning hair, amenorrhea and fine hair growth
90-95% female
90% severe cases start at 13-18 years
Genetic
Description ------ DNA inherited from biological parents
Affects approximately 0.5-1% of population
Families with one relative with disorder - 4-5% chance
Genetic
Holland et al (1984) ------ 55% MZ twins concordance rate much higher than DZ twins 7%
Genetic
Evaluation ------ Concordance rate not 100% - external factors
Neurological Explanations
Description ------ Neurotransmitter serotonin may be linked to AN
Linked to depression and OCD
Studies suggest serotonin levels low in AN

Neurological Explanations
Kaye et al (2001) ------ PET scans of brain show fewer serotonin receptors in brains of people with AN
Neurological Explanations
Evaluation ------ Serotonin levels cause or effect?
Low level of receptors could be long term complication of AN
People with Anorexia do still feel hungry
Evolutionary Explanation
Description ------ Adapt to flee famine hypothesis
Anorexia behaviour adaptive 2 million years ago
AN = restless and higher levels of activity
Higher activity levels and denial of hunger help to migrate
Evolutionary Explanation
Evaluation ------ No direct evidence
Refusal of food = death
One person with anorexia may be beneficial for everyone else
Biological Explanations of Anorexia Nervosa
Issues and Debates ------ Psychology as a science - unfalsifiable
Reductionist - Simplify complex human behaviour
Nature/nurture - Focus on biological causes of behaviour
Gender bias - Most research carried out on females

Side A ------ Side B
Anorexia
Description ------ Less than 85% below normal body weight
Failure to lose weight leads to anxiety
Body perception distorted
Dry skin, dehydration, malnutrition, brittle nails, thinning hair, amenorrhea and fine hair growth
90-95% female
90% severe cases start at 13-18 years
Genetic
Description ------ DNA inherited from biological parents
Affects approximately 0.5-1% of population
Families with one relative with disorder - 4-5% chance
Genetic
Holland et al (1984) ------ 55% MZ twins concordance rate much higher than DZ twins 7%
Genetic
Evaluation ------ Concordance rate not 100% - external factors
Neurological Explanations
Description ------ Neurotransmitter serotonin may be linked to AN
Linked to depression and OCD
Studies suggest serotonin levels low in AN

Neurological Explanations
Kaye et al (2001) ------ PET scans of brain show fewer serotonin receptors in brains of people with AN
Neurological Explanations
Evaluation ------ Serotonin levels cause or effect?
Low level of receptors could be long term complication of AN
People with Anorexia do still feel hungry
Evolutionary Explanation
Description ------ Adapt to flee famine hypothesis
Anorexia behaviour adaptive 2 million years ago
AN = restless and higher levels of activity
Higher activity levels and denial of hunger help to migrate
Evolutionary Explanation
Evaluation ------ No direct evidence
Refusal of food = death
One person with anorexia may be beneficial for everyone else
Biological Explanations of Anorexia Nervosa
Issues and Debates ------ Psychology as a science - unfalsifiable
Reductionist - Simplify complex human behaviour
Nature/nurture - Focus on biological causes of behaviour
Gender bias - Most research carried out on females