Self-awareness and disinhibition in restrained eaters /
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1993.
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to ProQuest copy Link to OAKTrust copy ProQuest, Abstract |
| Abstract: | Heatherton and Baumeister (1991) formulated escape theory as a way to understand the literature on binge eaters. One of the primary propositions regarding binge and restrained eaters pertains to their high self-awareness which is hypothesized to be experienced as aversive for these individuals. In this study, high and low restrainers were administered a high or low self-awareness paper and pencil task and exposed to food. It was expected that high restrainers in the high self-awareness condition would disinhibit and eat more food than high restrainers in the low self-awareness condition or low restrainers in either condition. Additionally, high and low restrainers were contrasted on whether they ate a "unsafe" or "safe" food (candy vs unsweetened cereal) and whether they ate during the task or during a waiting period immediately following. A pre and post measure of affect and a measure of dissociation were used for exploratory purposes. Contrary to the prediction, high restrainers in the self-aware condition did not disinhibit, did not eat more candy than other experimental groups, nor did they eat more during the waiting period than during the task time. Several possible explanations are offered for the lack of findings. On a pre-experimental measure of anxiety, high restrainers were significantly more anxious than low restrainers which is consistent with previous research. The measure of dissociation was also seen to positively correlate with the Revised Restraint Scale (Herman, 1978) which lends support to suggestions that a binge may be regarded as similar to a dissociative experience. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | "Major subject: Psychology." Vita. |
| Physical Description: | ix, 103 leaves ; 28 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |