Biological Explanations of OCD

Question 1

How many explanations, what are they?

Answer 1

Genetic explanations

Neural explanations

Question 2

Genetic explanations

Answer 2

• Candidate genes/ polygenism
  
  • SERT/COMPT- inherited
  • Polygenic - 230 gene
  • Gene markers inherited e.g. gene 9
• Higher percentage of first degree relatives

Question 3

Neural explanations

Answer 3

• Low levels of Neurotransmitters - serotonin and dopamine
  
  • Serotonin may be removed too quickly before it has transmitted its signal
  • Brain regions
  • Basal ganglia … disturbed… repetitive behaviours

Question 4

AO3s

Answer 4

• Biologically reductionist - too simplistic solely. Perhaps diathesis- stress more compelling than rely genetic factors alone (-)
• AO3 – genetics overstated in twin studies
  
  • Practical application in the form of treatment - SSRIs - implicate neurotransmitters but not the gene (+)
• • Biologically deterministic (+)

Question 5

AO3 – genetics overstated in twin studies

Answer 5

P: however, perhaps the role of genetics has been over stated in twin studies.
E: It is near impossible to disentangle nature from nurture and consequently, it is not clear whether a higher concordance rate in MZ twins than DZ twins is due to genetics or rather due to MZ twins sharing a more similar environment than DZ twins.

E: This is problematic as it makes it very challenging to draw concrete conclusions regarding the exact influence that genetics plays in the manifestation of OCD. Some may argue that the utilization of such methods limits the credibility of the evidence on offer. Perhaps psychologists should instead focus their efforts on conducting adoption studies as this shortcoming does not extend to such methods.
L: therefore, some research examining the role of genetics in OCD may fall foul of methodological flaws associated with the use of twin studies,

Question 6

• Biologically reductionist

Answer 6

• too simplistic solely. Perhaps diathesis- stress more compelling than rely genetic factors alone (-)

Question 7

Practical application

Answer 7

SSRIs - implicate neurotransmitters but not the gene (+)

Question 8

• Biologically deterministic (+)

Answer 8

• Biologically deterministic (+)