The Biological approach to explaining OCD - Genetic explanations
- Created by: Rosiem2102
- Created on: 21-03-18 16:40
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- Genetic explanations
- Candidate genes
- Researchers have identified genes which create a vulnerability to OCD (candidate genes)
- Some are involved in regulating the development of the serotonin system
- E.g: 5HT1 - D beta implicated in transport of serotonin across synapses
- OCD is polygenic
- Not just caused by one gene but several genes involved
- Taylor (2013) found evidence that up to 230 different genes may be involved
- Include those associated with the action of dopamine as well as serotonin (neurotransmitters believed to have a role in mood regulation)
- Different types of OCD
- One group of genes may cause OCD in one person but a different group may cause it in another person (aetiologically heterogeneous)
- Some evidence to suggest that different types of OCD may be the result of particular genetic variations
- Diathesis stress model - certain genes leave people more likely to suffer a mental disorder but some environmental stress is necessary to trigger the condition
- OCD is a good example of a condition that may be largely understood as biological in nature
- Genes involved in an individual vulnerability
- Lewis (1936): 37% of OCD patients had parents with OCD and 21% had siblings
- Evaluation
- There is good supporting evidence
- One of the best sources is twin studies
- Nestadt et al. (2010) reviewed previous twin studies and found that 68% of identical twins shared OCD while 31% of non-identical twins didn't
- Strongly suggests genetic influence
- Too many candidate genes
- Psychologists unsuccessful at pinning genes down
- Several genes involved and each variation only increases vulnerability by a fraction
- Provides little predictive value
- Environmental risk factors
- Environmental risk factors can trigger/increase risk of OCD
- Cromer et al. (2007) found that over half the OCD patients had past traumatic experiences
- OCD more severe in those with more than one trauma
- Cannot be entirely genetic in origin (at least not in all cases)
- May be more productive to think about environmental causes because something can be done about them
- There is good supporting evidence
- Candidate genes
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