Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Psychology A-Level > 4 Pyschopathlogy- OCD > Flashcards

4 Pyschopathlogy- OCD Flashcards

1
Q

what does ocd stand for?

A

obsessive compulsive disorder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is ocd?

A

it is an anxiety disorder where sufferers experience persistent and intrusive thoughts and compulsions or a combination of both.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

obsessions

A

thoughts that trigger feelings and compulsions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

compulsions

A

behaviours that are attempted to try and decreese the distress and anxiety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are the 3 types of ocd elements

A

behavioural (compulsions)

emotional (feelings)

cognitive (obsessions)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

2 types of behavioural ocd

A

-repetitive compulsions
-avoidance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

briefly describe the behavioural ocd element of repetitive compulsions

A

-sufferers are compelled or driven to perform a behaviour to alleviate anxiety from obsessions
-this is repetitive and has to be performed multiple times to provide a short-term solution for the anxiety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

3 types of emotional ocd

A

-extreme anxiety and distress
-accompanying depression
-guilt and disgust

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

briefly describe the behavioural ocd element of avoidance

A

-sufferers avoid certain situations in an attempt to reduce anxiety by avoiding situations that would trigger obsessive thoughts
-this interferes with daily life

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

briefly describe the emotional ocd element of extreme anxiety and distress

A

-persistent obsessions create high levels of anxiety and worry that a bad event may occur
-this causes feelings of fear and fright which overwhelms the person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

briefly describe the emotional ocd element of accompanying depression

A

-anxiety causes low moods and a loss in pleasure in every day activities which is interrupted by obsessive thoughts and repetitive compulsions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

briefly describe the emotional ocd element of guilt and digust

A

-negative emotions such as irrational guilt or disgust over minor moral issues
-may be directed at self or something external such as dirt.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

4 types of cognitive ocd

A

-recurrent obsessive thoughts
-hypervigilance and selective attention
-cognitive coping strategies
-insight and awareness of irrational behaviour and anxiety

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of recurrent obsessive thoughts

A

-persistent and intrusive, unpleasant and disturbing
-distracts an individual from every day tasks as it dominates thinking and interrupts other thoughts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of hypervigilance and selective attention

A

-sufferers have increased awareness of the source of the obsession
-in new situations they remain alert to focus their attention on potential hazards.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of cognitive coping strategies

A

-processes that are attempted to help alleviate or ‘neutralise’ the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

briefly describe the cognitive ocd element of insight and awareness of irrational behaviour and anxiety

A

-sufferers realise that compulsions are irrational and make no logical sense
-they understand that this does not stop a behaviour being performed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what is the COMT gene?

A

it is a canditate gene that can be inherited, it increases someone’s vulnerability to developing OCD
-involved in the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is a neurotransmitter?

A

a chemical messenger that carries signals from one neuron to the next target cell

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what is the SERT gene?

A

it is reponsible for the transport of serotonin across synapses, causing lower levels of serotonin- associated with OCD

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

what does OCD being polygenic mean?

A

it is caused by multiple genes, each increasing the vulnerability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

what do the COMT and SERT genes also interact with to bring about the development of OCD

A

THE ENVIRONMENT

23
Q

what does the diathesis stress model suggest?

A

it suggests that each individual gene only creates a vulnerability, and interactions with external stress factors are key for psychological disorders to develop

24
Q

example of a supporting study
(genetic explanations of OCD)

A

Nestudt et al (2010)- role of genes in OCD
results found:
68% concordance rates in MZ twins for OCD (identical)
31% concordance rates in DZ twins for OCD (non-identical)

25
Q

example of opposing idea/ study
(genetic explanations of OCD)

A

Cromer 2007
studied whether OCD patients had experiened a traumatic event in their lifetimes
-results shared that environmental factors play a significant role in OCD development- ignores root cause

26
Q

is the genetic explanation of OCD deterministic?

A

yes
-it assumes that OCD is caused by genes, such as the COMT and SERT gene
-ignore the role of free will, sufferers may not want to seek medical attention and believe they have the power to tackle symptons

27
Q

does the genetic explanation of OCD have useful applications?

A

we are able to identify those at risk of developing OCD
-with genetic testing identifying vulnerabilities for developing it
-we can diagnose disorders and identify links between people’s genes with OCD for further research

28
Q

what are dopamine and serotonin both?

A

neurotransmitters

29
Q

what is the neural explanation for OCD?

A

Neural explanations suggest that abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, in particular serotonin and dopamine, are implicated in OCD

30
Q

are dopamine levels high or low in people with OCD?

A

HIGH

31
Q

are serotonin levels high or low in people with OCD

A

LOW

32
Q

what two regions of the brain are implicated in OCD?

A

orbitofrontal cortex
basal ganglia system

33
Q

what is the orbitofrontal cortex?

A

a region in the brain where high levels of activity are associated with more thought processing and actions “worry circuit”
-end up as obsessions

34
Q

what is the basal ganglia system?

A

a region in the brain where disturbed or dysfunctional communication in the area may account for repetitive behaviours and actions
-accounts for compulsions

35
Q

example of a supporting study
(neural explanations of OCD)

A

Zohar et al (1987)
-a drug was given to OCD patients that reduced serotonin levels
-this lead to enhanced symptons
-shows that serotonin levels play a role in OCD

36
Q

example of an opposing idea/ study
(neural explanation of OCD)

A

the two process model suggests that repeated assocations with something can cause an anxiety conditioned response, it is then maintained with negative reinforcement
-environmental factors can therefore cause OCD and its symptons

37
Q

does the neural explanation for OCD have any useful applications?

A

drug treatments such as SSRIs have been tested to reduce OCD symptons
-SSRI’s work by targeting the neurotransmitter serotonin and allowing reuptake to be blocked, increasing activity levels of serotonin in the synapse, causing calmness

38
Q

can the neural explanation of OCD establish a clear cause and effect?

A

no
-many neurotransmitters and brain structures all contribute, and some do not at all
-we are unsure

39
Q

is the neural explanation for OCD scientific?

A

it is highly scientific
-clinical trials have been taken place, with high levels of control in a strict, artificial, lab environment
-data can be directly observed and analysed
-brain scans produce visual images, objective data with less biases

40
Q

what is a method to treat OCD?
(biological approach)

A

drug therapy
-used to increase or decrease levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain

41
Q

example of antidepressants used to treat OCD?

A

SSRI

42
Q

what does SSRI stand for?

A

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor

43
Q

what does SSRI do?

A

it elevates levels of serotonin by preventing its reuptake into the pre-synaptic neuron
-causing an increase in serotonin activity in the synapse
-this reduces anxiety and allows for calmness by stabilising the ‘worry circuit’

44
Q

how long does it take for drugs to impact symptons?

A

3-4 months
(12 weeks)

45
Q

what are the small structures that contain neurotransmitters in cells?

A

vesicles

46
Q

example of an anti-anxiety drug

A

BZ
(benzodiazepines)

47
Q

what do BZ drugs do?

A

they enhance levels of the neurotransmitter GABA which tells neurons to stop firing, having a quietening influence on the brain

48
Q

what are SNRIs and when are they taken?

A

Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors
-if SSRIs are ineffective, these are prescribed instead
-they are dual reuptake inhibitors (affects two biochemicals)

49
Q

example of a supporting study
(drug therapy for biological approach)

A

Soomro et al (2008)
-examined the effectiveness of SSRIs
-results showed that they are more effective then placebos, in treating OCD (17 trials took place)

demonstrates that drugs are effective treatments for OCD
(SSRIs)

50
Q

is drug therapy an empowering approach?

A

no, they do not feel empowered (passive), there is minimal human interactions
-drugs do not allow patients to feel actively involved in the process, may cause a low self-esteem

51
Q

does drug therapy treat the root cause of OCD?

A

no, it only treats the symptons
-if patients stop taking drugs, withdrawal symptons can show

52
Q

what is a positive of taking drugs?

A

it requires less time and effort- potentially more convenient, causing lower drop out rates

53
Q

opposing ideas of drug therapy?

A

drugs can have unpleasant side effects, patients may withdraw from their medication
e.g. nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, dizziness, indegestion

Psychology A-Level (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions