neural explanation

• •serotonin and dopamine linked to OCD

  • Low levels of serotonin (caused by SERT gene)

  •High levels of dopamine (caused by COMT gene)

  • Abnormal levels are thought to cause malfunction in parts of the brain linked to OCD
• orbiro frontal cortex?


  • Serotonin plays a key role in the operation of the OFC therefore abnormal levels of serotonin may cause this area to malfunction. • Dopamine is also linked,high levels lead to over activity in whole

  area of the brain.
• areas of the brain 1?


  • The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for decision

  making and logical thinking

  • several areas in and around the OFC are thought to be abnormal in people with OCD:
  • The OFC is involved in decision making and worry about behaviour.
  • A malfunctioning OFC would result in increased anxiety and increased planning to avoid anxiety (obsessions).
• a03?


  Supporting evidence from PET scans of patients with OCD

  Scan taken while symptoms are active (e.g. when a person with a germ obsession holds a dirty cloth).

  Show heighted activity of the OFC.
• a03 ?


  Drug treatments which increase serotonin activity have been found to decrease OCD symptoms.

  • (remember low serotonin is linked to OCD)

  • this supports the neural explanation and has implications for providing effective treatment

  • e.g. antidepressants are successful in up to 70% of ocd patients due to raise serotonin levels
• a03 weakness 


  • reductionist- reduces ocd down to genes when there could be multiple other causes, MZ concordance is never 100% so environment must play a role too.
  • behaviourist two process model is a better explanation, initial learning is done by classical conditioning and it is maintained through operant conditioning through negative reinforcement
• a03?


  The cause is biological so removes blame from the patient

  • Whereas a cognitive approach to OCD could makethe patient feel that they are to blame as it is their faulty thinking causing the disorder

  • Although the genetic cause may make parents feel responsible for passing on faulty genes.
• a03 determinism 


  removes responsibility and takes the control away from the individual

  • This may make patients feel powerless

  • The theory implies that if you have a COMT/SERT gene and the overactive neuroanatomy you will experience OCD

  • This means that the theory is deterministic and removes freewill from the patient.
• conclusion ? 


  diathesis stress model