Biological Approach to Explaining OCD Flashcards
Outline the biological/genetic explanation of OCD (6 marks)
The biological approach would argue that there is a genetic predisposition to OCD as it is inherited. It suggests that OCD is due to inheritance of one or many maladaptive genes. The biological approach argues that the closer the genetic link, the greater the risk a person would inherit OCD. This is shown in twin studies where monozygotic twins have been found to have a concordance of 87% compared to dizygotic twins with the concordance rate of 47%. There are specific genes called ‘candidate genes’ which make an individual vulnerable to developing OCD. One example is the COMT gene which is involved in the regulation of dopamine in the brain as it causes an increase in dopamine activity which is associated with compulsions in OCD. Another example is the SERT gene which is involved in the transportation of serotonin as if it becomes mutated, then serotonin activity is reduced which increases the levels of anxiety and OCD symptoms.
Outline the neurochemical approach to explaining OCD (3 marks)
The neurochemical explanation of OCD suggests that OCD is due to an imbalance in neurotransmitters such as low levels of serotonin activity. A mutation in the SERT gene causes serotonin to be recycled too quickly back into the pre-synaptic neurone before it can activate the post synaptic neurone. The low levels of serotonin activity can lead to anxiety which can be seen with the obsessions of OCD.
Outline the neuroanatomy explanation to explain OCD (3 marks)
Neuroanatomy argues that OCD is due to differences in shape, size or functioning of specific brain areas. For example, OCD is linked to an area of the brain known as the basal ganglia which is responsible for psychomotor functions. Hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia may result in repetitive movements. This could help to explain compulsions experienced by people with OCD.
Discuss the biological approach to explaining OCD (3 X AO3)
Critics argue that the biological approach to explaining OCD is biologically reductionist. It reduces the complex human behaviour of OCD down to simple basic units of genes (SERT), neurotransmitter imbalance and neuro anatomy. This neglects a holistic approach, which would take into account how a person’s culture and social context could influence OCD e.g. for example research has shown that there is a higher prevalence of OCD in certain religious groups where regular cleansing before prayer is the norm. Therefore, the biological explanation of OCD may lack validity, as it does not allow us to understand the behaviour in context.
A strength of the biological explanation of OCD is that it uses scientific methods. This is because the theory is based on objective and empirical techniques such as gene mapping studies and brain scans which are used to identify specific genes such as SERT or areas of the brain linked to OCD for example, hypersensitivity of the basal ganglia. Therefore, some would argue that this increases the overall internal validity of the biological explanation of OCD, thus, raising Psychology’s scientific status.
Studying the biological approach scientifically has led to practical applications. The principles of the theory, that OCD is due to a mutation in the SERT gene and low serotonin activity levels has led to the development of drug treatments. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) increase the amount of serotonin activity in the brain and this has been found to reduce anxiety, relieving OCD symptoms. Therefore, the biological approach to explaining OCD is an important part of applied psychology as it helps to improve the lives of those with OCD.
