2 part discussion
Part1: It is perhaps ironic that obesity and dieting are both very significant problems for our culture. Dieting becomes a more serious subject when individuals choose risky, unhealthy diets that may cause serious complications. Nutritionists say that diets need to have a minimum number of calories—the number that would represent a person’s basal metabolic rate. When calories are reduced below that rate, the person risks burning muscle tissue, not just fat. In this circumstance, the person risks heart damage or damage to other organs.
The process that takes a person from normal dieting to dieting for extreme thinness is not well understood. Belsky reports that there is likely a genetic component, and families of afflicted individuals tend to have problems not just with weight but also with mood problems and anxiety. People with anorexia tend to see themselves as less able to manage their lives and choose their eating habits as the one thing they can control.
For this discussion topic, it is helpful to learn about eating disorders from the perspective of a person who has struggled with one of these illnesses. Watch at least one of the TED Talks featured below presented by females who have been diagnosed and recovered. I included them both because they both share helpful and slightly different perspectives, but you can choose which one to watch.
Eating disorders have no face by Jazz McCutcheon
OR
After anorexia: Life’s too short to weigh your cornflakes by Catherine Pawley
Also, watch this brief news story including an interview with Nate Eaton called “Men with Anorexia.” It is estimated that in the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.
The National Eating Disorders Association website, as well as information from Chapter 8 in your textbook will provide information to inform your responses on the discussion questions.
As for every discussion, back up your responses with research and information from your text and the supplemental materials!!
Imagine you have noticed that a good friend is showing signs of a possible eating disorder. Describe some of the indicators you might witness. What types of treatment would be most effective in helping for him or her? 2. What psychological and personality factors contribute to a disordered way of eating? Include information about personality profiles or characteristics that are linked to eating disorders. Use specific examples from either Jazz’ or Catherine’s talks to illustrate your points.
3. How are contemporary female bodies typically represented in advertisements, television, movies, and print media? How do these representations influence the way girls feel about their bodies and the way they dress? Do you think social influences contribute to development of eating disorders? *******Part 2: 1) Please answer the following question: Thinking back over everything in the course, what theory presented do you feel is the absolute most important in being able to understand how Personality Psychology impacts humans? Why? (minimum of 4 sentences for your response)
2) What do you feel were the two most difficult specific theories or definitions that were covered in the course. Explain why for each (1 paragraph each).
3) Pick one of the specific theories from the question above, and attempt to explain that theory, in your own words, like you were teaching your 9 year old cousin (who has never taken a psychology course!).
4) Overall, of the multiple perspectives presented (e.g., trait, biological, humanistic, psychoanalytic etc), which one does the best job describing human personality? Why?