OCD-Eval of causes of ocd Flashcards
(7 cards)
One strength of the biological explanation of OCD is that there is research support that a family history may cause OCD
Nestadt et al found that MZ (identical) twins had 68% concordance for OCD and DZ (non-identical) had 31% concordance for OCD.
THIS SHOWS a genetic influence in OCD as the identical twins rate is HIGHER than the DZ rate suggesting that as genetic similarity increases, so does the chance of both twins developing ocd.
HOWEVER, the MZ concordance rates are not 100%. THIS MEANS that ocd is not ENTIRELY genetic and there are other factors such as ENVIRONMENT which are also involved in the development of ocd.
What are the issues with using twin studies to explain ocd genetically?
Twins share the same ENVIRONMENT and so it’s difficult to know if any concordance is due to GENETIC influence, or due to learning from the FAMILY ENVIRO.
The twin samples are also SMALL and SPECIFIC type of sample and so the findings in regards to genetic influences on OCD may not be GENERALISED to all people and lack POP. validity, questioning whether genetic influences on ocd are applicable to ALL.
Why are candidate genes a weak explanation of OCD?
because it is DIFFICULT to find candidate genes, although there have been ANIMAL studies that show certain genes are associated with REPETITIVE behaviours e.g. mice.
This suggests that there could be a LINK between candidate genes and ocd. As repetitive behaviours are a FEATURE of ocd.
Why is investigating candidate genes in animals a further weakness of the biological explanation of OCD?
The findings may not RELATE to humans due to animal extrapolation. Therefore, just because candidate genes show rep behaviour in animals, this does NOT prove that they are the cause of these behaviours, or OCD in humans.
What is a strength of the neural explanation of OCD such as low serotonin ?
Because drugs such as SSRI’s work on RAISING serotonin levels and are effective in reducing OCD which means that if increasing serotonin levels treats ocd, then low S levels could be a cause of OCD.
HOWEVER, the TREATMENT CAUSATION FALLACY wouldn’t agree with this because just because the treatment reduces symptoms, doesn’t mean that the cause is biochemical, which would therefore question low serotonin levels as an explanation of OCD.
What is one problem with the neural explanation of OCD
(Cause and effect)
If someone has a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE e.g. low S levels and is also showing ocd behaviour then it could be suggested that the CAUSE of ocd is low S levels.
However, it could be the case that the person has ocd and as a RESULT, they have low S levels. Therefore in this case, low S levels would be the EFFECT of ocd.
This is an issue with the neural explanation of OCD as it could be suggesting CAUSES based on biochemicals when there are only ASSOCIATIONS.
what is an issue with saying low S levels are an explanation of OCD?
Biologically reductionist
Because it takes the COMPLEX issue of OCD and REDUCES it to JUST serotonin. This could be an issue as it could miss other FACTORS that could be causing ocd. Therefore it could be suggested that an INTERACTIONIST approach should be taken whereby serotonin is seen as a FACTOR in ocd but in CONJUNCTION with other factors .e.g. cognitions.
