13.1.12

Psychological Explanations: Studies

Test yourself

Herman and Mack (1975)

Herman and Mack (1975) investigated disinhibition in restrained eaters (dieters).

Illustrative background for ProcedureIllustrative background for Procedure ?? "content

Procedure

  • Laboratory experiment.
  • Two groups of participants who were either restricted eaters (dieters), or non-restricted eaters, were invited to take part in a study they were told was to test the impact of milkshake on perception of ice-cream flavours.
  • Participants were given either zero, one or two strawberry milkshakes (pre-load) and then 3 flavours of ice cream to taste. They could eat as much as they wanted.
Illustrative background for Results & conclusions Illustrative background for Results & conclusions  ?? "content

Results & conclusions

  • Results
    • The restrained eaters who had pre-loaded with milkshakes ate much more ice cream than the non-restrained dieters. It seemed once they had violated their diets they gave up on any self-restraint.
  • Conclusion
    • The finding that restrained eaters eat more after violating a diet is termed the disinhibition effect.
Illustrative background for Evaluation Illustrative background for Evaluation  ?? "content

Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Controlled and reliable.
    • Practical applications.
  • Limitations
    • Ethics- deception.
    • Individual differences.
    • Social and cultural variations.

Wing and Jeffrey (1999)

Wing and Jeffrey (1999) investigated the benefits of social support to weight loss and maintenance.

Illustrative background for ProcedureIllustrative background for Procedure ?? "content

Procedure

  • Field experiment.
  • 155 participants were either recruited alone or with 3 family members or friends.
  • They were allocated into a standard behavioural treatment group or a standard behavioural treatment group with social support. Weight loss was assessed after 4 months and then again at month 10.
Illustrative background for Results & conclusions Illustrative background for Results & conclusions  ?? "content

Results & conclusions

  • Results
    • Of those recruited to the alone groups, 76% completed the treatment.
    • At month 10, 24% had maintained their weight loss.
    • In the family and friends group (social support), 95% completed the treatment and 66% maintained their weight loss.
  • Conclusion
    • Demonstrates the importance of social support in weight loss and the importance of groups like weight watchers and slimming world to success.
Illustrative background for Evaluation Illustrative background for Evaluation  ?? "content

Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Practical applications
    • Field experiment – ecological validity.
  • Limitations
    • Individual differences.
    • Social and cultural variation.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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