17. The Biological Approach To Explaining OCD AO3 Flashcards
Name a limitation of the genetic explanation of OCD
Environmental risk factors are also involved
Why is environmental risk factors being involved a limitation
Its not just genes - it seems that environmental risk factors can also trigger/increase the risk of developing OCD
Outline some research that shows environmental risk factors are involved in development of OCD
Research found over half of the OCD patience in a sample had a traumatic event in their past - OCD was more severe in those with 1 or more traumas
What can be concluded about the role of environmental risk factors
Supports diathesis-stress model - focussing on environmental causes may be more productive - we are more able to do something about these
Name a strength of genetic explanations of OCD
Good supporting evidence
Outline how there is supporting evidence for genetic explanations of OCD
Evidence from a variety of sources - suggests some people are vulnerable to OCD - result of genetic makeup
Outline the piece of good supporting evidence for genetic explanations of OCD
Nestadt - reviewed twin studies - found 68% of MZ twins hared OCD - compared to 31% of DZ twins
How does good Nestadt’s study support the biological approach to explaining OCD
Strongly supports a genetic influence on OCD
Name a strength of neural explanations for OCD
Some supporting evidence
Outline supporting evidence for neural explanations of OCD
Antidepressants that work purely on serotonin system - effective in reducing OCD symptoms that serotonin system may be involved in
