Explaining OCD

• >The biological approach would argue that OCD is due to physical factors in the body

  > As OCD tends to run in families it would suggest a genetic predisposition to OCD is inherited

  > Due to the inheritance of one or more maladaptive genes eg. SERT

  > OCD is polygenic - combination of maladaptive genes increasing vulnerability

  > Specific candidate genes - SERT or COMT
• Neurochemical explanation

  > Suggests that OCD is due to an imbalance in neurotransmitters, specifically low levels of serotonin activity

  > A mutation in the SERT gene causes serotonin to be recycled too quickly back into the pre-synaptic neuron, before it can activate the post synaptic neuron

  > The low levels of serotonin lead to anxiety, this can be seen in obsessions
• Neuroanatomy -

  > OCD is associated with impaired/ faulty decision making in the brain. Neuroanatomy refers to the size shape and function of certain areas of the brain and how they are linked with OCD.

  > OCD is associated with abnormal functioning in the frontal lobe of the brain. The frontal lobes are responsible for logical thinking and decision making

  >  There is also evidence to suggest that the parahippocampal gyrus is associated with processing unpleasant emotions such as anxiety which functions abnormally in people with OCD
• AO3 -

  :( Biologically reductionist

  > Reduces complex human behaviour of OCD to simple basic units of genes (SERT)

  > Neglects a holistic approach which takes into account a persons social and culture context could influence OCD

  > Therefore the biological approach may lack validity, doesn't allow us to understand behaviour in context
• AO3 -

  :) Uses scientific methods

  > Based on objective and empirical techniques such as gene mapping or brain scans

  > Increasing the overall validity, raising psychologys scientific status
• AO3 -

  :) Practical applications

  > lead to the development of drug treatments

  > Selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors increase the amount of serotonin activity, relieving OCD symptoms

  > Therefore the biological approach is an important part of applied psychology
• AO3 -

  :) RTS was conducted by Gerald et al

  > Link between twins and genetic vulnerability to OCD

  > 68% of MZ twins shared OCD compared to only 31% of DZ twins showing a genetic predisposition to OCD

  > Supporting the genetic explanation as a biological theory