P1 Psychopathology - Biological Approach to Explain OCD

Question 1

What is a concordance rate?

Answer 1

A measure of genetic similarity. In a sample of, for example, 100 twin pairs, one twin of each pair has a phobic disorder. The number of times their other twin also shows the illness determines the concordance rate, so if 40 have phobic disorder, then the concordance rate is 40%.

Question 2

What is dopamine?

Answer 2

One of the key neurotransmitters in the brain, with effects on motivation and drive.

Question 3

What is serotonin?

Answer 3

A neurotransmitter implicated in many different behaviours and physiological processes, including aggression, eating behaviour, sleep and depression

Question 4

What is a neurotransmitter?

Answer 4

Chemical substances that play an important part in the workings of the nervous system by transmitting nerve impulses across a synapse.

Question 5

What is a gene (COMT and SERT)?

Answer 5

A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA

Question 6

What is the orbitofrontal cortex?

Answer 6

The OFC is located in the frontal cortex and is responsible for sending signals to the thalamus about things that are worrying such as a potential germ hazard.