Question 1

A cognitive psychologist is proposing a study of the effectiveness of several forms of therapy for treating anorexia nervosa.She sends her proposal to the ethics committee for review.Although the committee approves the proposal from an ethics standpoint,one of the committee members writes her a note saying,"Be aware of the allegiance effect." What will this note mean to the psychologist in regard to her proposal?

Accepted Answer

The allegiance effect refers to the phenomenon where researchers may find therapies they favor or are trained in to be more effective, due to their own biases or preferences. In this context, since the psychologist is a cognitive therapist, the note warns that she might be more inclined to find cognitive therapy as the most successful treatment for anorexia nervosa due to her own allegiance to that approach.

Question 2

Paula suffers from bulimia nervosa and is considering treatment with an antidepressant medication.Knowing that you have been studying this issue,she asks your opinion.What should you tell her?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that relapse rates are high when medication treatment for bulimia is stopped. Therefore, it is important for Paula to be aware of this issue when considering using antidepressants as part of her treatment plan.

Question 3

What is the first goal of the treatment of anorexia nervosa?

Accepted Answer

The first goal of treatment for anorexia nervosa is to increase the patient's weight to a healthy level. This is important for physical health and also helps to address distorted thoughts and behaviors related to food and weight. Once the patient has gained some weight, other aspects of treatment can be addressed.

Question 4

With respect to the role of genetics in eating disorders,it is most likely that

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that genetics play a role in increasing the risk for developing eating disorders, but it is not fully clear how they specifically influence the development of anorexia or bulimia. However, there is evidence that genetics might influence some personality traits (such as perfectionism) and neurobiological factors (such as serotonin levels) that increase the risk for eating disorders. Cultural and environmental factors also play a significant role in the development of eating disorders.

Question 5

Research participants have been asked to identify with a figure within a series of schematic figures of women ranging from very thin to very obese.What is the subject of this research?

Accepted Answer

The subject of this research is dissatisfaction with body image, as the participants are being asked to identify with a figure within a range of body sizes. This suggests that the researchers are interested in how individuals perceive and feel about their own bodies, potentially leading to insights on body image dissatisfaction. A and D are less likely options, as body-size delusional systems and punishment on eating behavior are not directly being studied or measured in this task. B is also unlikely, as deficits in sensory perception are not directly relevant to the task at hand.

Question 6

Efforts to understand the relationship between depression and eating disorders have focused on which of the following depressive symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Low self-esteem is often linked to both depression and eating disorders, as individuals with these conditions may struggle with negative self-perceptions and body image issues.

Question 7

The etiology of eating disorders underscores the importance of equifinality,which is the idea that

Accepted Answer

Equifinality highlights that there are multiple ways in which an individual may develop an eating disorder. Various factors such as genetic, environmental, cultural, and psychological aspects can contribute to the onset of an eating disorder. Therefore, there is no one specific cause or pathway in developing an eating disorder.

Question 8

An expert on eating disorders is giving a talk about the relationship between eating disorders and depression.Which of the following would be an appropriate title for this talk?

Accepted Answer

The title "Depression: Both Cause and Effect" best captures the relationship between eating disorders and depression, as both can contribute to the development of the other. It acknowledges that both disorders can have a complex and cyclical relationship, with depression potentially triggering disordered eating behaviors and an eating disorder contributing to feelings of depression. The other options are either too simplistic or not accurate representations of the relationship between depression and eating disorders.

Question 9

A medical technician looks up from the microscope and says to his supervisor,"I think we have a case of hyperlipogenesis here." What would this information tell the physician about the patient whose tests the technician just analyzed?

Accepted Answer

Hyperlipogenesis is the process of synthesizing and storing fat in adipose tissue (fat cells). Therefore, this information would indicate that the patient's body is storing an abnormally large amount of fat in fat cells.

Question 10

In establishing an eating disorder clinic,your group of professionals is keen to include all of the therapies that are currently being used to treat these disorders.You will likely include several different therapies,including

Accepted Answer

Bruch's psychodynamic therapy is a well-established treatment for eating disorders that addresses underlying psychological issues and conflicts that may be contributing to the disorder. Token economies, hypnosis, and role-playing are not commonly used as primary therapies for eating disorders.

Question 11

Which form of therapy is emerging as an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa because patients continue to improve after the end of therapy?

Accepted Answer

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is emerging as an effective treatment for bulimia nervosa because patients continue to improve after the end of therapy. IPT focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and communication skills, which may contribute to the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. Psychodynamic therapy and behavioral therapy have been used to treat bulimia nervosa but do not have the same level of long-term effectiveness as IPT. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of medication used to treat bulimia nervosa, but they are not a form of therapy.

Question 12

Ann suffers from bulimia and has been gaining weight.Her parents are concerned and have been encouraging her to go on a diet.What would you tell her and her parents?

Accepted Answer

Dieting is not a recommended solution for individuals with bulimia as it can potentially contribute to binge eating episodes. Additionally, weight gain may not necessarily reflect a lack of will power or an unconscious desire to maintain weight, but rather it could be a result of various factors such as a disturbance in metabolism or fluid retention. It is important for Ann to seek professional help from a medical or mental health provider who specializes in eating disorders. Her parents can support her by encouraging her to seek treatment rather than focusing on her weight.

Question 13

The most widely studied form of family therapy for eating disorders involves parents initially taking complete control over the child's eating.Age-appropriate autonomy is returned to the child as eating improves.This system is called the

Accepted Answer

The Maudsley method, also known as family-based therapy, involves parents taking control over their child's eating initially and gradually returning age-appropriate autonomy as eating improves. It is the most widely studied form of family therapy for eating disorders.

Question 14

Although extremely rare,eating disorders have been linked to lesions in the

Accepted Answer

The hypothalamus plays a critical role in the regulation of hunger, satiety, and body weight, and therefore has been implicated in the development of eating disorders. Some studies have found that lesions in the hypothalamus can lead to changes in appetite and body weight, and may contribute to the development of anorexia or bulimia.

Question 15

Frances suffers from bulimia nervosa and is seeing a therapist who is focusing on normalizing her eating patterns and addressing her dysfunctional attitudes.Which form of therapy is her therapist providing?

Accepted Answer

The therapist is focusing on normalizing Frances' eating patterns and addressing her dysfunctional attitudes, which are key elements of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). Therefore, her therapist is providing CBT.

Question 16

Researchers are finding an increased rate of which mental disorder in both victims of eating disorders and their family members?

Accepted Answer

Recent research has found a significant association between eating disorders and depression, both in individuals with eating disorders and in their family members. Depression is considered to be one of the most common co-existing mental health disorders with eating disorders.

Question 17

A weight level the body seems to defend by adjusting its rate of energy use is called the

Accepted Answer

The term "weight set point" refers to the weight that the body defends by regulating its metabolism and adjusting energy use. It is believed that the body has a natural tendency to maintain this weight, which can make it difficult to lose or gain weight beyond a certain range.

Question 18

In one study,___________ lead to a 70 to 80 percent reduction in binge eating and purging.

Accepted Answer

Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating eating disorders, including binge eating and purging. One study found a 70 to 80 percent reduction in these behaviors with the use of CBT. CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behavior related to eating and body image. It has been shown to be more effective than other therapies, such as psychodynamic therapy or client centered therapy, in treating eating disorders. Aversive conditioning is not typically used in the treatment of eating disorders, as it involves associating a negative stimulus with a behavior, which may not be appropriate for someone with an already negative relationship with food and their body.

Question 19

An expert on eating disorders describes those with such disorders as "lacking interoceptive awareness." Which of the following characterizes this lack?

Accepted Answer

Interoceptive awareness refers to the ability to sense and perceive internal physiological sensations, such as hunger and emotional states. People with eating disorders often have a decreased ability to sense and attend to these internal cues, which can contribute to disordered eating behaviors. Choices B, C, and D do not accurately describe interoceptive awareness in relation to eating disorders.

Question 20

___________ ,or a negative mood state,commonly triggers episodes of binge eating according to Vogele and Gibson.

Accepted Answer

Dysphoria refers to a state of negative mood or affect and has been linked to triggering episodes of binge eating according to Vogele and Gibson.

Quiz 10: Feeding and Eating Disorders