Psychopathology - Biological Approach for OCD AO1

Question 1

what is the biological approach/ medical model?

Answer 1

it views abnormal conditions as being the same as physical illness that are caused by abnormal biological processes. This includes (genes, the brain and neurotransmitters)

Question 2

what is the genetic explanations?

Answer 2

It suggests that OCD is inherited and that genes are involved in individual vulnerability to OCD

Question 3

what evidence supports the genetic explanation?

Answer 3

Lewis’ study which found that 37% of his OCD patients had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings with OCD. This suggests that it runs in the family

Question 4

what genes create vulnerability to OCD?

Answer 4

candidate genes

Question 5

What are the main 2 candidate genes?

Answer 5

• SERT
• COMT

Question 6

How does SERT cause OCD?

Answer 6

• SERT lowers the levels of seratonin
• this then causes faulty transmissions of mood-related information, causing mood and mental processes to be affected

Question 7

How does COMT cause OCD?

Answer 7

• COMT regulates dopamine
• a version of the gene causes reduction of COMT activity, which increases dopamine levels
• this according to drug side effects can cause OCD symptoms

Question 8

Describe the neural explanation for OCD.

Answer 8

• the caudate nucleus inhibits the worry signals sent by the orbitofrontal cortex
• when damaged the worry signal isn’t inhibited and sent to the thalamus which creates a worry circuit
• this can cause OCD symptom
• according to Comer abnormal seratonin may cause these malfunctions