The biological approach to explaining OCD Flashcards

1
Q

what does the diathesis-stress model state?

A

certain genes mean some people are more likely to suffer a mental disorder but it is not certain -some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition

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2
Q

define candidate genes

A

researchers have identified candidate genes, which create vulnerability for OCD. Some of these genes are involved in regulating the development of the serotonin system.

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3
Q

OCD is polygenic what does this mean?

A

This means that OCD is not caused by one single gene but that several are involved.

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4
Q

who analysed findings of previous studies and found evidence that up to 230 different genes may be involved in OCD

A

Taylor

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5
Q

Genes that have been studied in relation to OCD include those associated with the action of which neurotransmitters?

A

dopamine + serotonin

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6
Q

what does aetiologically heterogeneous mean?

A

that the origin of OCD has diff causes

eg one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but another group of genes may cause OCD in another person

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7
Q

there is also some evidence to suggest that different types of OCD may be the result of ?

A

particular genetic variations

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8
Q

define neural explanations

A

the genes associated with OCD concerns the role of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is believed to help regulate mood.

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9
Q

explain the role of serotonin in explaining ocd

A

One explanation of OCD concerns the neurotransmitter serotonin which regulates mood. Neurotransmitters are responsible for relaying information from one neuron to another. If a person has low levels of serotonin then normal transmission of mood-relevant info doesn’t take place and mood is affected. Some cases of OCD can be explained by a reduction in the functioning of the serotonin system in the brain.

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10
Q

explain decision-making systems in explaining OCD

A

Some cases of OCD seem to be associated with impaired decision making. This in turn may be associated with the abnormal functioning of the lateral side of the frontal lobes of the brain

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11
Q

AO3- good supporting evidence

A

One of the best sources of evidence for the importance of genes is twin studies. Nestadt et al. reviewed previous twin studies and found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins. This strongly suggests a genetic influence on OCD.

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12
Q

AO3- too many candidate genes

A

Although twin studies strongly suggest that OCD is largely under genetic control, psychologists have been much less successful at pinning down all the genes involved. One reasons for this is because it appears that several genes are involved and that each genetic variation only increases the risk of OCD by a fraction. The consequence is that a genetic explanation is unlikely to ever be very useful bc it provides little predictive value

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13
Q

AO3- we shouldnt assume that neural mechanisms causes OCD

A

There is evidence to suggest that various neurotransmitters and structures of the brain do not function normally in patients with OCD. However, this is not the same as saying that this abnormal functioning causes OCD. These biological abnormalities could be a result of OCD rather than its cause.

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