Psychopathology - Biological Approach To Explaining OCD

Question 1

Biological approach

Answer 1

OCD caused by genetics + neural explanations

Question 2

genes

Answer 2

• genes could be main cause = inherited = genetic vulnerability to illness

Question 3

Polygenic

Answer 3

OCD = polygenic
One single gene isn’t responsible for the disorder = many are = candidate genes

Question 4

COMT gene

Answer 4

• causes ocd = regulates production of neurotransmitter dopamine = high levels associated with ocd
• high levels of dopamine = drive, motivation, possible aggression
• more common in OCD patients than people without the illness

Question 5

SERT gene

Answer 5

• serotonin transport gene
• affects transportation of serotonin = low levels of serotonin = low mood + depressive symptoms
• on chromosome 17 = mutation can cause ocd

Question 6

Research on sert gene

Answer 6

• Ozaki evidence = 6 out of 7 family members who has ocd had a mutation of their sert gene
• mutation causes low serotonin levels
• link between ocd and depression = this explains it

Question 7

Genetics explanation positive = first degree

Answer 7

• Nestadt = supports
• found people who has first degree relative who had OCD = 5x more likely to get it
• ocd is transmitted genetically

Question 8

Genetics explanation positive = meta analysis

Answer 8

• Billet supports
• found from a meta analysis of 14 twins that ocd is 2x more likely to be concordant in identical monozygotic twins rather than dizygotic non identical twins
• ocd is transmitted by genetics

Question 9

Genetic explanation negative = behavioural approach

Answer 9

• behavioural approach contradicts this
• two process model suggests ocd is learnt via classical conditioning and rewarded through operant conditioning
• behavioural approach = great deal of support in explaining the cause of Ocd = Ocd often treated using behavioural therapies such as exposure

Question 10

Genetic explanation negative = other factors

Answer 10

• genetic explanation concordance rate for OCD isn’t 100%
• OCD not entirely caused by genetic factors
• doesn’t account for psychological + environmental factors

Question 11

Name 2 neurotransmitters

Answer 11

Dopamine and serotonin

Question 12

Dopamine

Answer 12

• affects mood and may be cause of ocd
• frontal lobes in brain = linked to dopamine activity
• ocd sufferers have high levels of dopamine

Question 13

Research on animals about dopamine

Answer 13

• found high doses of drugs that enhance dopamine levels can induce movements that resemble compulsive + repetitive behaviour = similar to ocd sufferers

Question 14

What are of the brain has high dopamine levels been linked to?

Answer 14

Basal ganglia (motor function and learning)

Question 15

Serotonin

Answer 15

• affects mood + might cause ocd
• ocd sufferers = low levels of serotonin = depressive symptoms + obsessive thoughts

Question 16

What part of the brain is linked to serotonin activity?

Answer 16

Frontal lobes

Question 17

What does serotonin play a key role in?

Answer 17

• operating caudate nucleus in the brain = low levels cause this to malfunction

Question 18

What does the caudate nucleus do?

Answer 18

• vital role in how brain learns = storing + processing of memories
• feedback processor = uses information from last experience to influence future actions + decisions
• OCD patients have a malfunctioning one

Question 19

Neural explanation positive = genetic link

Answer 19

• Menzies suggest research evidence = support genetic link to abnormal levels of neurotransmitters
• studied mri scans in OCD patients + immediate family members + compared with healthy controls
• oCD patients + family = reduced grey matter in key regions of brain + unusual neuroanatomy
• OCD can be caused by abnormal brain structure which could be inherited via genes

Question 20

Neural explanation positive = drug

Answer 20

• Ciccerone supports
• giving OCD patients low doses of Risoeridone (drug) = lower dopamine levels + alleviates some symptoms
• high levels of dopamine could be a biological cause

Question 21

Neural explanations negative = cause + effect

Answer 21

• neurotransmitters might not be cause of ocd
• could be effect of ocd
• be cautious looking at cause + effect

Question 22

Neural explanation negative = role of dopamine

Answer 22

• role of dopamine causing ocd = questioned
• high levels of dopamine can cause other psychological illnesses aswell
• e.g. bipolar depresssion and schizophrenia
• not enough evidence to suggest Hugh levels of dopamine cause ocd to occur
• a combination of factors might be responsible for causing the illness