The Biological Approach To Explaining OCD Flashcards
What is the biological approach?
Importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function
what is genetic explanations?
Genes make up chromosomes and consist of DNA. They coded the physical features of an organism and psychological features, they are transmitted from parents to offspring.
what is neural explanations?
physical and psychological characteristics at determine by behaviours of the nervous systems
what is candidate genes?
researchers have identified genes which create vulnerability for OCD called candidate genes. They are involved in regulating the development of serotonin system.
what is OCD is polygenic?
this means OCD is not caused by one single gene but a combination of genetic variations that increase vulnerability there is evidence that 230 different genes may be involved in OCD
what is different type of OCD?
one group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group of genes may cause the disorder in another person. The term is etiologically and heterogeneous meaning the origins of OCD vary from one person to another. This means different types of OCD might be the result of particular genetic variations.
explain the role of serotonin?
one explanation of OCD is that serotonin is believed to help regulate the mood .neural transmitters are responsible for relaying information from one neurone to another. if a person has low levels of serotonin then normal transmission of mood relevant information does not take place in a person and may experience low moods
what is one strength of genetic explanation of OCD?
Is it’s strong evidence base. some people are vulnerable to OCD as a result of the genetic make up, one source of evidence is twin studies Gerald reviewed twin studies and found 68% identical school twins shared OCD as opposed to 31% of non-identical twins. another source of evidence is family studies. They found out a family member diagnosed with OCD is four times as likely to develop it as someone without.
What is one limitation to genetic model of OCD?
Environmental risk factors it can make a person more or less vulnerable to OCD. environmental risk factors increase the risk of developing OCD, Cromer found that over half the OCD clients in the sample and experienced a traumatic event in their past.
Explain one strength a neural model of OCD?
Is the supporting evidence that antidepressants that work purely on serotonin levels reduce OCD Symptoms.This suggests serotonin may be involved in OCD if a biological disorder produces OCD, symptoms then we assume the biological process underline OCD this suggests that biological factors are responsible for OCD
