Twice each month, the Department of Psychology at State University hosts a panel discussion among several faculty members on a topic of contemporary interest. The goal is to show students that thought and behavior may be explained at different levels and from different perspectives. At today’s discussion, the topic is obesity. The discussants are Dr. Park, a biological psychologist; Dr. Lewis, a behavioral psychologist; and Dr. Bothwell, an evolutionary psychologist. For each psychologist, provide one or two sentences suggesting how he or she might explain obesity.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Ans: Dr. Park might point to the genetic basis of weight and the amount and distribution of body fat. Children’s weight resembles that of their biological parents, even when they are adopted. Dr. Park might also note that obese individuals show underactivity of the brain’s reward system during eating, leading to increased consumption to obtain satisfaction.
Dr. Lewis might suggest that obesity may be partly maintained by reinforcement—by the feelings of comfort or relief from anxiety that occur after eating. Finally, Dr. Bothwell might refer to the thrifty gene hypothesis—the idea that our genetic makeup developed when food was scarce. We are therefore motivated to seek and consume high-energy foods such as sugars and fats. These foods are now overconsumed because they are readily available.
Learning Objective: 10.2 Discuss the factors that influence obesity.
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Problem of Obesity
Difficulty Level: Medium