Psychopathology - Booklet 4 Flashcards
The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of OCD, The biological approach to explaining and treating OCD ; genetic and neural explanations, drug therapy
define OCD
-an anxiety disorder with two main components: obsessions and compulsions
name the behavioural characteristics of OCD
-compulsions
-avoidance
name the emotional characteristics of OCD
-anxiety
-depression
name the cognitive characteristics of OCD
-obsessions
-selective attention
define obsessions
-recurring, intrusive thoughts that cause anxiety
define compulsions
-repetitive behaviours that relieve the anxiety caused by obsessions
answer content for the key word: biological explanations
-genetic and neural explanations
answer content for the key word: genetic explanations
-genes and DNA - inherited genes
answer content for the key word: neural explanations
-brain structures and neurochemistry
answer content for the key word: brain structures
-parts of the brain responsible for OCD
answer content for the key word: neurochemistry
-neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine)
define genetic vulnerability
-inheriting certain genes makes people more likely to develop OCD but does not guarantee they will
describe how OCD is polygenic
-it is a condition caused by multiple genes
-there may be 230 genes associated with OCD
explain the concept of aetiological heterogeneity
-different combinations of these genes may lead to the development of OCD in different individuals
-there isn’t one single pathway
how can different combinations of genes contribute to the variety of OCD symptoms experienced
-different combinations might influence the specific neural circuits and neurotransmitters involved in system
-there are 10 variations in types of obsessions and compulsions
which two genes are associated with OCD
-SERT gene
-COMT gene
describe the SERT gene
-transports and regulates serotonin
-variations in the SERT gene can lead to lower serotonin levels which are associated with OCD
describe the COMT gene
-regulates dopamine levels
-variations in the COMT gene can cause higher levels of dopamine which are associated with OCD
AO3 points about the genetic explanation of OCD
-supporting evidence from family studies
-it is reductionist
-twin studies provide evidence
AO3 - the genetic explanation of OCD is supported by family studies
-lewis examined patients with OCD and found 37% of patients had parents with the disorder, and 21% had siblings who suffered
-so research from family studies can support the concept of inherited predisposition to OCD
AO3 - counter - the genetic explanation of OCD is supported by family studies
-it does not rule out other environmental factors that could explain OCD in families
AO3 - the genetic explanation of OCD is reductionist
-it is an example of biological reductionism as it reduces a complex behaviour such as OCD to a singular component such as our genes
-so fails to take into account other explanations and may oversimplify OCD
-so psychologists may need to take a holistic approach to understanding the explanations of OCD
AO3 - the genetic explanation of OCD is supported by twin studies
-nestadt et al reviewed twin studies on OCD
concordance rates of 68% in identical twins, 31% in non identical twins
-both identical and non identical twins experience OCD so there is a very strong genetic component to OCD
-so it demonstrates the genetic link of OCD being stronger than just looking at family studies
AO3 - counter - the genetic explanation of OCD is supported by twin studies
-no study has an 100% concordance rate suggesting biological factors are not the only factors contributing to OCD
