Page 129 - Understanding Psychology

men and women. All that changed, though, with the arrival of TV. Now, girls in Fiji dream of looking like American stars on TV—skinny. In fact, eating disorders are more common in industrialized countries, suggesting that cultural factors play a major role in body image. Meanwhile, in Fiji, the percentage of girls with eating disorders has increased, and in a 1998 survey a high percentage of the girls stated that they had been on a diet. How does today’s culture affect you? What is your ideal body image? Why?
1. Review the Vocabulary What are the symptoms of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa?
3. Recall Information How does the influence of parents over their children change during adolescence?
4. Think Critically Why do adolescents form cliques? Do you think cliques serve a positive or negative purpose? Explain your answers.
2. Visualize the Main Idea
Using a graphic orga- nizer similar to the one at right, identify and describe three difficul- ties that adolescents might encounter.
Difficulty: Causes: Treatment:
5. Application Activity
Create an informational pamphlet on a problem some teens encounter, such as eating disorders or depression. Include
statistics and treatment suggestions.
image—they see themselves as over- weight and fat even though they are underweight and thin.
When faced with the pressures of
adolescence, some people develop
abnormal eating patterns. Some psy-
chologists suggest that anorexia repre-
sents a female’s refusal to grow up. Girls
who develop anorexia typically miss
menstrual cycles. Other psychologists
propose that anorexia is an attempt by
teenagers to assert control over their
lives at a time when so much seems
beyond their control. Treatment for
anorexics involves a focus on encourag-
ing weight gain and dealing with psy-
chological problems. Another serious
disorder, bulimia nervosa, is charac-
terized by binge eating followed by
purging—vomiting, using laxatives, or rigorous dieting and fasting—to eliminate the calories taken in during the binge. People suffering from bulimia nervosa are excessively concerned about body shape and weight. Bulimics usually engage in this behavior in private.
Some psychologists suggest that bulimia may result from a teen’s feeling of alienation during adolescence or a need to find approval from others. Some bulimics also experience depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Treatment involves therapy and the use of antidepressant drugs.
Assessment
Culture and
Body Image
“You’ve gained weight” is a traditional compliment in Fiji. Dinner guests in the South Pacific are supposed to eat as much as possible. A nicely rounded body is the norm for
bulimia nervosa: a serious eating disorder characterized by compulsive overeating usu- ally followed by self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives
Chapter 4 / Adolescence 115