Biological explanations for OCD

Question 1

One strength of the biological explanations for OCD

Answer 1

Research support- Netsdat et al.
Analysed twin studies, found 68% of MZ twins and 31% of DZ twins had concordance for OCD
-Those with a family member with OCD were 4x more likely to develop it

Question 2

A limitation of the biological explanation for OCD?

Answer 2

Ignores environmental influences (Cromer)
-Ignores the role that trauma and stress may have in the development of OCD
-Cromer found over half of her OCd clients had a traumatic experience
-The more traumas the more severe the OCD

Question 3

One strength of the neural explanation?

Answer 3

Supporting evidence
-Antidepressants treat OCD and operate by increasing the level of serotonin within the body= low serotonin causes OCd
-Parkinsons produces OCD symptoms and has links to low serotonin

Question 4

A limitation of the neural explanation?

Answer 4

No unique neural system
-OCD and depression often occur together (co-morbidity)
-Link between serotonin and OCd is more complex, depression involves the disruption of Ocd and so we do not know if it is OCD and/or depression that causes the changes in serotonin system