Biological Approach to Explaining OCD

• :( biologically reductionist

  > reduces complex behaviour of OCD down to simple basic units of genes/neurotransmitter imbalance/neuroanatomy

  > neglects a holistic approach (social and cultural context) - higher prevalence of OCD in religious groups with regular cleansing before prayer

  > lacks validity - does not allow us to understand behaviour in context
• :) scientific methods

  > theory is based on objective and empirical techniques, such as gene mapping to identify SERT or brain scans to identify frontal lobes and parahippocampal gyrus

  > increases internal validity, thus, raising Psychology's scientific status
• :) practical applications

  > the principles of the theory, that OCD is due to a mutation in the SERT gene and low serotonin activity, has led to drug treatments

  > selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors increase serotonin activity which reduces anxiety and relieves OCD symptoms

  > important part of applied psychology
• :) RTS Gerald

  > studied link between twins and genetic vulnerability to OCD

  > 68% of monozygotic twins shared OCD, compared to 31% of dizygotic twins, showing there is a genetic predisposition to OCD

  > supports the genetic explanation