Success/Failure of Dieting - Plan

Discuss factors into the success and failure of dieting (8+16 marks)

Factor 1: Failure

AO1: Restraint theory - restraint synonymous with dieting. 89% female population in UK restrain food intake at some point.

AO2: Herman and Mack (1975) - 15 participants, 3 conditions. Low-restraint eat less in condition 2 and 3 than zero. High-restraint eat more in conditions 2 and 3. Positive correlation between score on eating restraint questionnaire. High restraint = more eaten. (women)

AO3 Evaluation: Only 15 participants - low population validity and an inability to generalise results to a wider population. Also correlations do not prove cause and effect and mean reliability is affected. 

AO1: Boundary model - the dietary boundary between hunger and satiety leading to the ‘what-the-hell’ effect. Role of denial - denying food makes an individual crave them more. 

AO2: Wegner et al (1987) - Asked participants to not think about a white bear and ring bell if they did. Condition where told not to think about bear rang bell more. 

AO3 Evaluation: Instructions were very vague and inconclusive - lacks validity and reliability. 

IDAs: Gender bias: Most research conducted on women - different hormones and biology to men, as well as social pressures. 

Factor 2: Success

AO1: Motivation - important in success of dieting, usually more successful with more motivation, links to social support also. 

AO2: Lowe et al (2004) - Weight losses achieved through WeightWatchers were maintained over a five-year period and an average of 71.6% of people maintained a loss of 5% of body weight. 

AO3 Evaluation: Other contributing factors aren't considered - the type of diet could biologically work rather than it being due to social support. 

AO1: Detail - When people get into a routine, food becomes boring and same-ish. People need to focus on details of specific foods. 

AO2: Jelly Bean Experiment Redden -  135 people 22 jelly beans, one at a time, information given, 2 conditions. More specific detailed condition enjoyed experiment more. 

AO3 Evaluation: Doesn't necessarily explain eating behaviours, preferences etc. 

IDAs: Free Will - people voluntarily diet but are often expected to by society - does this affect the success/failure?