Behavioural explanation OCD

Question 1

● What gene is associated with OCD?

Answer 1

SERT gene

Question 2

▲ Why is serotonin imbalance associated with OCD?

Answer 2

It affects mood and anxiety regulation

Question 3

▲ How is the parahippocampal gyrus linked to OCD?

Answer 3

It’s implicated in neuroanatomical explanations

Question 4

✪ Why do twin studies support a genetic explanation of OCD, and what does Nestadt et al. show?

Answer 4

MZ twins had higher OCD concordance than DZ twins, showing genetic influence

Question 5

▲ What does it mean if OCD is polygenic?

Answer 5

It’s caused by a combination of multiple genes

Question 6

▲ How does serotonin activity link to obsessive thoughts?

Answer 6

Low serotonin increases anxiety and obsessions

Question 7

▲ What area of the brain continues to send danger signals in OCD?

Answer 7

Thalamus

Question 8

▲ How do mice studies support the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 8

Genetically modified mice showed compulsions

Question 9

✪ Why is brain scan research important for validating neuroanatomical explanations of OCD?

Answer 9

It provides observable evidence of abnormal brain structures

Question 10

● What animal showed compulsive behaviour in genetic studies?

Answer 10

Mice

Question 11

▲ Why does a damaged caudate nucleus lead to OCD symptoms?

Answer 11

It fails to filter out worry signals

Question 12

▲ What is meant by biological reductionism?

Answer 12

Reducing behaviour to genes/neurotransmitters

Question 13

✪ How does cultural context challenge the validity of the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 13

Certain religious groups show higher OCD prevalence, not explained by genetics alone

Question 14

● What brain system is faulty in OCD?

Answer 14

Worry circuit

Question 15

▲ Why are gene mapping and brain scans useful for OCD?

Answer 15

They provide empirical evidence

Question 16

✪ How does a serotonin imbalance lead to compulsions according to the neurochemical explanation?

Answer 16

Low serotonin causes anxiety, driving compulsions to reduce it

Question 17

● What part of the brain identifies danger in the worry circuit?

Answer 17

Orbito frontal cortex

Question 18

● What is the function of serotonin in mood regulation?

Answer 18

Maintains stable mood

Question 19

● What is a candidate gene?

Answer 19

A gene that increases vulnerability to a disorder

Question 20

✪ How does the worry circuit explain repetitive thoughts in OCD?

Answer 20

Faulty caudate nucleus fails to suppress danger signals

Question 21

✪ Why does the neuroanatomical explanation raise Psychology’s scientific status?

Answer 21

It uses objective techniques like brain scans

Question 22

● What does OCD stand for?

Answer 22

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Question 23

✪ Why is the biological approach to OCD considered reductionist, and what does this limit?

Answer 23

It reduces OCD to genes/neurochemicals, ignoring social/cultural factors, reducing validity

Question 24

● What part of the brain filters danger messages?

Answer 24

Caudate nucleus

Question 25

✪ Why is the biological explanation scientifically valid, according to its methods?

Answer 25

It uses objective, empirical methods like gene mapping and brain scans

Question 26

✪ What is a weakness of explaining OCD solely through genes and serotonin levels?

Answer 26

It neglects environmental and cultural influences

Question 27

▲ What does Nestadt’s twin study suggest about genetics and OCD?

Answer 27

Higher concordance in MZ twins suggests genetic link

Question 28

✪ How does drug development based on serotonin support the biological model of OCD?

Answer 28

It confirms low serotonin’s role by targeting it for treatment

Question 29

● What type of neurotransmitter is involved in OCD?

Answer 29

Serotonin

Question 30

● What part of the brain relays worry messages?

Answer 30

Thalamus

Question 31

● What happens when serotonin is low?

Answer 31

Anxiety increases

Question 32

✪ What is the limitation of using only animal studies to explain human OCD?

Answer 32

Findings may not generalise due to biological differences

Question 33

▲ What biological component increases OCD vulnerability?

Answer 33

Candidate genes

Question 34

▲ What does the thalamus do in the worry circuit?

Answer 34

Relays worry messages to brain areas

Question 35

● What does the SERT gene do?

Answer 35

Transports serotonin

Question 36

✪ How does research using the Slitrk5 gene in mice support the genetic explanation of OCD?

Answer 36

Mice without this gene showed compulsive behaviours like excessive grooming

Question 37

▲ How can a mutation in the SERT gene cause OCD?

Answer 37

By reducing serotonin and increasing anxiety

Question 38

✪ How does the biological approach contribute to applied psychology?

Answer 38

It helps develop drug treatments like SSRI for OCD symptoms

Question 39

● What % of MZ twins developed OCD in Nestadt et al’s study?

Answer 39

68%

Question 40

✪ Why does the biological approach have high internal validity?

Answer 40

It uses controlled scientific methods like blood tests and scans

Question 41

● What does 'polygenic' mean in the context of OCD?

Answer 41

Caused by multiple genes

Question 42

▲ How can gene mapping help explain OCD?

Answer 42

Identifies genes linked to OCD like SERT

Question 43

● What happens if the SERT gene is mutated?

Answer 43

Reduces serotonin activity

Question 44

✪ What is a practical application of identifying low serotonin levels in OCD patients?

Answer 44

It supports development of SSRI drug treatments