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CP: 1.5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) > 1.5.2 Explanations of obsessive-compulsive disorder > Flashcards

1.5.2 Explanations of obsessive-compulsive disorder Flashcards

1
Q

Oxytocin - Biochemical explanation

Oxytocin

A

The ‘love hormone’, involved in enhancing trust and attachment.

Has also been shown to increase distrust and fear of certain stimuli, especially those which may pose a threat to survival.

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2
Q

Oxytocin - Biochemical explanation

When the effects of SSRIs were tested on oxytocin, what was found?

A

Oxytocin positively correlated with OCD symptoms as measured by the Y-BOCS.

Those with early onset OCD had the highest levels of oxytocin.

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3
Q

Oxytocin - Biochemical explanation

What did Leckman et al. (1994) find about OCD when he analysed cerebral spinal fluid and patient accounts of behaviour?

A

Some forms of OCD were related to oxytocin dysfunction.

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4
Q

Oxytocin - Biochemical explanation

What evidence has contrasted the oxytocin explanation for OCD, from Den Boer and Westenberg (1992)?

A

Found no evidence of a link between oxytocin and OCD.

They used a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 12 OCD patients and some were given synthetic oxytocin whilst the rest were given a placebo.

There were no reductions in obsessions/compulsions in either group, suggesting no link.

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5
Q

Dopamine and serotonin - Biochemical explanation

What 2 neurotransmitters have been linked with OCD?

A
  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin
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6
Q

Dopamine and serotonin - Biochemical explanation

What has research found about levels of dopamine in people with OCD?

How does Szechtman et al. (1998) back this up?

A

Dopamine levels tend to be abnormally high.

Szechtman et al. (1998) showed that when dopamine levels are increased in rats, they begin to show repetitive behaviours, reflecting compulsions.

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7
Q

Dopamine and serotonin - Biochemical explanation

Do people with OCD tend to have lower or higher serotonin levels in their brain?

A

Lower than normal serotonin levels.

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8
Q

Cognitive (thinking error) - Psychological explanation

Which part of OCD is cognitive? Which is behavioural?

A
  • Obsessions = cognitive.
  • Compulsions = behavioural.
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9
Q

Cognitive (thinking error) - Psychological explanation

What does the cognitive explanation blame obsessive thinking on?

A

Faulty reasoning (Rachman, 1977).

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10
Q

Cognitive (thinking error) - Psychological explanation

Example of faulty reasoning causing OCD

A

Belief that hands are covered in harmful germs is due to errors in thinking.

These mistakes in cognition can also worsen under stressful conditions.

Compulsions are the outcome of this kind of thinking, attempts to alleviate the unwanted thoughts and the anxiety they cause.

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11
Q

Behavioural (operant conditioning) - Psychological explanation

How does the behavioural explanation explain compulsive behaviour?

A

Through operant conditioning.

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12
Q

Behavioural (operant conditioning) - Psychological explanation

Example of operant conditioning causing OCD

A

Behaviours, such as handwashing can alleviate germ obsessions temporarily.

However, the handwashing becomes a negative reinforcer since it has relieved something unpleasant (the anxious thoughts).

It is also a positive reinforcer since the person is rewarded with clean hands.

This influence of negative/positive reinforcement can shape obsessive-compulsive behaviours, meaning they are learned.

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13
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

MZ twins

A

Share 100% of their genes.

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14
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

DZ twins

A

Share around 50% of their genes.

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15
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

What did Monzani et al. (2014)’s study find out about twins with OCD?

A

There was a significantly higher concordance rate for MZ twins (52%) compared to DZ twins (21%).

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16
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

What did Nestdat et al. (2000) find about OCD patients and their near relatives?

A

There was a strong link with near family.

17
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

What is the overall estimated heritability of OCD?

A

48%.

18
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

COMT gene

A

Helps to reduce the action of dopamine.

19
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

What can a variation in the COMT gene lead to?

A

A decreased amount of COMT avaliable, therefore dopamine cannot be controlled and there is likely too much.

20
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

In a study using DNA samples of people with OCD and without, how many people with OCD had the COMT gene variation?

A

The variation in the gene occured in nearly 50% of the men with OCD, but only 10% of women with OCD.

21
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Was allele 2 of the DRD4 gene more or less common in people with OCD?

A

Less common.

22
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Is lower activity of the allele of the COMT gene more common in people with OCD or less?

A

More common in OCD patients.

23
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Aside from DRD4 and COMT genes, what other gene has been linked to OCD?

A

Under-expression of the SLITRK5 gene is also linked to OCD.

24
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Genotype

A

The set of genes in our DNA which is reponsible for a particular trait (nature).

25
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Phenotype

A

The physical expression, or characteristics, of that trait (which could involve nurture).

26
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

What did Ozamaro et al. (2013) conclude about the SSLITRK1 gene?

A

He studied 381 individuals with OCD and 356 without, finding that there were 3 novel variants of the gene in 7 of the OCD individuals, he decided the SSLITRK1 gene appeared linked to OCD but needed more research.

27
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Strengths

A
  • Higher number of children with OCD than any other disorder, suggesting it is inherited.
  • Concordance rates for twin studies are generally high compared to other disorders.
  • OCD symptoms of parents/children are often different, suggesting they aren’t learnt.
28
Q

Genetic - Biological explanation

Criticisms

A
  • Concordance rates are never 100%, meaning OCD is not entirely genetic.
  • Twin studies have issues since they may not truly be identical.
  • No conclusive evidence found about an exact gene linked to OCD.
  • Reducitionist since it doesn’t acknowledge psychological factors.
  • Focuses on individual and ignores situational factors.
29
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

How does the psychodynamic approach explain OCD?

A

By looking at unconscious beliefs and desires.

30
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

What does this approach believe OCD symptoms act as?

A

A defence mechanism.

They protect the person from becoming aware of unresolved conflicts from the unconscious mind.

31
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

According to this explanation, what are obsessional thoughts the result of?

A

The ID’s desires being expressed.

32
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

What do compulsive acts result from, according to this explanation?

A

Excessive guilt generated by an overly dominant superego.

33
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

Where do the unresolved conflicts develop from?

A

Early childhood, specifically during the anal stage of psychosexual development.

34
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

What is an example of a conflict from the anal stage that may cause issues later on?

A

Potty training that is too early or harsh can be traumatic, later causing obsessive traits like orderliness and perfectionism.

35
Q

Psychodynamic explanations

Criticism

A
  • No empirical evidence of superego, ID etc.
36
Q

Evaluation of explanations

What do all the explanations of OCD have in commmon?

A

They are all reductionist, making them easier to test but meaning other factors are probably being ignored.

37
Q

Evaluation of explanations

Apart from the psychodynamic approach, what do all the other explanations focus on?

A

The individual rather than situational factors.

CP: 1.5 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (3 decks)

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