OCD - biological approach

Question 1

What are the 2 biological explanations?

Answer 1

Genetic and neural

Question 2

Briefly outline the genetic explanation for OCD

Answer 2

OCD has a genetic basis
- is inherted; passed on down generations

Candidate genes involved in vulnerability to OCD.

OCD is polygenic.

Question 3

What are candidate genes and give an example

Answer 3

Genes that create a vulnerability to OCD, e.g COMT gene.

Question 4

Taylor (2013): OCD is polygenic.

Answer 4

identified 230 candidate genes involved in OCD, suggesting OCD is polygenic
- not caused by one single gene but a combo.

Question 5

Outline the neural explanation for OCD

Answer 5

Abnormalities in structures in the brain associated with OCD: frontal lobe (responsible for decision making)

Role of neurotransmitters such as serotonin (low levels) in low moods

Question 6

explain how abnormality in the frontal lobe is associated with OCD

Answer 6

frontal lobe involved in decision making and logical thinking
abnormality = impaired decision making and logical thinking
- this is associated with OCD.

Question 7

Strength of biological approach to OCD (neural explanation): RWA

Answer 7

Led to drug treatments such as SSRI’s.
SSRI’s prevent reabsorption into presynaptic neurone, so increase serotonin levels.
Low serotonin plays a role in OCD (low mood), so SSRI’s help regulate mood
Allows people to function in society -> return to work, positive economic implications

Question 8

Limitation: biological reductionism / ignores other factors

Answer 8

Biological approach focuses on biological explanations only, ignoring cognitive factors.

OCD reduced to being caused by genetics/neural.

but people with OCD experience obsessive thoughts that are often intrusive and irrational also affecting their behaviour, not just biological factors.

Thus, not only biological factors play a role, and therefore it is only a partial explanation, reducing its credibility

Question 9

Limitation: environmental risk factors

Answer 9

Genetic explanation only focuses on the genetic vulnerability.

In one research study, it was found that over half of OCD clients had experienced a traumatic event in their past, suggesting environmental risk factors are also involved in OCD.

doesn’t account for environmental risk factors, so genetics only a partial explanation