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OCD Explanation Evaluation A03 - Coggle Diagram
OCD Explanation Evaluation A03
A strength of the biological explanation of OCD is that there is evidence to support that the disorder has a genetic basis.
Example:
Billett et al (1998) using a meta-analysis of 14 twin studies of OCD found that, on average, identical (MZ) twins were more than twice as likely to develop OCD if their co-twin had the disorder, the chances of developing OCD was lower for the co-twin of a non-identical (DZ) pai
This is positive because the research suggests that genetics does play a part in the development of OCD.
However...
No twin study has found a concordance rate of 100% in identical twins, which means that biological factors are not the only factor contributing to OCD and there must be environmental factors which also contribute to this disorder.
The biological explanation of OCD can be criticised for being deterministic.
Evidence:
The biological explanation states that if an individual has the presence of COMT or SERT gene, or a lower level of serotonin in the brain than they are pre-programmed to develop OCD.
This is a weakness because this theory of OCD ignores individual free will and the fact that an individuals free choice can also have an influence on their behaviour.
The biological explanations of OCD can be criticised of being reductionist.
Evidence:
The biological explanation suggests that OCD is caused by the presence of the SERT or COMT gene or by a lower level of serotonin in the brain, it states that OCD is a product of just an individuals nature.
This is a problem because the biological approach to explaining OCD can be seen to be too simplistic as it ignores the role of other factors such as our childhood experiences, everyday stressors and the role of learning in the development of abnormality.
One strength of the biological explanation of OCD comes from research from family studies.
Lewis (1936) examined patients with OCD and found that 37% of the patients with OCD had parents with the disorder and 21% had siblings who suffered.
Research from family studies, like Lewis, provide support for a genetic explanation to OCD, although it does not rule out other (environmental) factors playing a role.
Real life application.
If it is thought that OCD is controlled by a genetic influence, perhaps it will be more common place to have gene therapy to eliminate the condition.
OCD may be better explained using the Behavioural model, i.e. the neutral stimululs of dirt becomes associated with anxiety and by washing hands this uses operant conditioning to reinforce.
Areas of the brain.
Advances in technology have allowed researchers to investigate specific areas of the brain more accurately, and OCD sufferers do seem to have excessive activity in the orbital frontal cortex.
Cleaning and checking behaviours are "hard-wired" in the thalamus.
The repetitive acts (compulsions) may be explained by the structural abnormality of the basal ganglia but not necessarily the obsessional thoughts.
There are inconsistencies found in the research as no system has been found that always plays a role in OCD.
These neural changes could be as a result of suffering from the disorder, not necessarily the cause of it.