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Cited by 2,259Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 252 of the 265 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Binge eating as escape from self-awareness

Heatherton, Todd F., Baumeister, Roy F.·1991·Psychological Bulletin
DOI 10.1037/0033-2909.110.1.86
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Abstract

This article proposes that binge eating is motivated by a desire to escape from self-awareness. Binge eaters suffer from high standards and expectations, especially an acute sensitivity to the difficult (perceived) demands of others. When they fall short of these standards, they develop an aversive pattern of high self-awareness, characterized by unflattering views of self and concern over how they are perceived by others. These aversive self-perceptions are accompanied by emotional distress, which often includes anxiety and depression. To escape from this unpleasant state, binge eaters attempt the cognitive response of narrowing attention to the immediate stimulus environment and avoiding broadly meaningful thought. This narrowing of attention disengages normal inhibitions against eating and fosters an uncritical acceptance of irrational beliefs and thoughts. The escape model is capable of integrating much of the available evidence about binge eating.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0033-2909.110.1.86

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252 of 252 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Metadata

Authors
Heatherton, T. F., & Baumeister, R. F.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Psychological Bulletin
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1991
Volume
110
Issue
1
Pages
86-108
ISSN
  • 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1455
DOI
10.1037/0033-2909.110.1.86
OpenAlex
W1993335407
Cited by
2,259
References
265
Citations by year
2026: 61 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 80 · 2023: 94 · 2022: 85 · 2021: 130 · 2020: 96 · 2019: 99 · 2018: 99 · 2017: 112 · 2016: 90 · 2015: 112 · 2014: 111 · 2013: 89 · 2012: 94
FWCI
28.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
binge eating, self-awareness, self-perception, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, attentional narrowing, cognitive disengagement, irrational beliefs, social expectations, dietary habits
MeSH terms
Body Image, Bulimia, Defense Mechanisms, Diet, Reducing, Escape Reaction, Female, Humans, Hyperphagia, Obesity, Self Concept, Social Environment

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