Unit 5 - Lesson 6
AP Psychology Lesson: Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders
Unit: Mental and Physical Health | Lesson: 6 of 8 | Topic: Eating Disorders and Personality Disorders
AP Exam Weighting: 15%–25%
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring eating and personality disorders. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.
Warm-Up
Purpose: Get you thinking about how eating and personality disorders affect behavior.
Questions:
- How might an unhealthy focus on body image affect someone’s eating habits?
- Why might someone’s personality make relationships challenging?
Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.
Key Concepts
Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa involve unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g., starvation or binge-purge cycles). Personality disorders feature inflexible, maladaptive traits (e.g., borderline personality disorder, BPD, with emotional instability). Example: A person with anorexia restricts food to control body image, impacting health. The cognitive-behavioral model links eating disorders to distorted thoughts about body image. Personality disorders often stem from genetic and environmental factors (e.g., childhood trauma). These disorders disrupt behaviors like social functioning or self-care. Diagnosis uses DSM-5 criteria.
- Define eating disorders in your own words: _______________________________
- Define personality disorders in your own words: _______________________________
- Define cognitive-behavioral model in your own words: _______________________________
- Explain how an eating disorder influences a behavior, using a specific example:
- Explain how a personality disorder influences a behavior, using a different example:
- How does the cognitive-behavioral model explain eating disorder symptoms?
- Why might environmental factors contribute to personality disorders?
- How does the DSM-5 ensure accurate diagnosis of these disorders?
Guided Activity
Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A teen with anorexia avoids meals due to body image fears. Analyze how an eating disorder and the cognitive-behavioral model contribute to their behavior. For example, consider how distorted thoughts drive their actions.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in the behavior.
Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.
Task 2: Case Application: Imagine a person with BPD struggles with unstable relationships. Apply the concepts of personality disorders and DSM-5 criteria to explain their diagnosis. For example, evaluate how traits or diagnostic standards guide identification.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the diagnosis.
Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.
Class Assignment: Refer to the assignment file for this lesson
Instructions: Complete the tasks below to deepen your understanding of eating and personality disorders.
Study Summary 1: A 2019 study found that cognitive-behavioral therapy reduced distorted thoughts in anorexia patients.
Question 1: How does this study demonstrate the role of the cognitive-behavioral model in eating disorders, and what might enhance its effectiveness?
Study Summary 2: A 2020 study showed that childhood trauma increased the risk of borderline personality disorder.
Question 2: Evaluate how this study illustrates the impact of environmental factors on personality disorders, and suggest one limitation of its findings.
AP Exam Connection: This practices analyzing and evaluating research, a key skill for FRQs.
AP Exam Practice
Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how eating disorders, personality disorders, and the cognitive-behavioral model interact to influence a specific behavior (e.g., self-care or social interactions). Provide one example for each factor (eating disorders, personality disorders, cognitive-behavioral model) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.
Closure
Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how eating and personality disorders affect behavior.
Extended Practice
Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.
- Review your answers from this lesson.
- Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life scenario (e.g., how a disorder affects someone’s health or relationships). Include references to eating disorders, personality disorders, and the cognitive-behavioral model, and explain their interaction.
- Find a short article or study on eating or personality disorders (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).