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Evidence for attentional bias in women exhibiting bulimotypic symptoms
Author(s) -
Maner Jon K.,
HolmDenoma Jill M.,
Van Orden Kimberly A.,
Gailliot Matthew T.,
Gordon Kathryn H.,
Joiner Thomas E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20222
Subject(s) - psychology , attractiveness , attentional bias , physical attractiveness , perception , developmental psychology , human physical appearance , clinical psychology , anxiety , psychiatry , neuroscience , psychoanalysis
Objective One of the defining features of bulimia is a pervasive tendency to focus on and evaluate one's own body. The extent to which bulimotypic symptoms are associated with biases in attention to other individuals in the social world is less well known. In the current study, we examined the relation between bulimotypic symptoms and biases in attention to other men and women. Method A sample of undergraduate women performed a visual cueing task designed to assess attention to target faces varying in their gender and level of attractiveness. Results Women with relatively high levels of bulimotypic symptomatology tended to dwell on attractive female faces, but not other faces. This attentional bias was not attributable to perfectionistic ideals, body dissatisfaction, or self‐esteem. Conclusion Findings could reflect a link between disordered eating and the perception of competitive threat in other attractive women. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.