Behavioural explanation of OCD

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Why do we develop OCD according to the Behavioural Explanation?
We behave in a certain way by chance when they are feeling anxious
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Why does this mean we develop OCD?
 When the anxiety then goes away they unconsciously learn to associate the action with the removal of the anxiety and it therefore becomes a reflex response
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A person may be anxious when they shake hands with somebody who is ill...
When they wash their hands the anxiety goes awayq
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What type of conidtioning is this?
Classical Conditioning
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How can repeation of this action result in OCD?
The next time they shake hands with a person who is ill, it will remove the anxiety
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Why is this operant conidtioning?
Because they are being rewarded by the anxiety being removed
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What does the conditioning theory suggest?
A neutral stimulus becomes associated with threatening thoughts & anxiety
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The anxiety is reduced by...
Washing hands
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Why is this postivie reinforcement?
A reward for a behaviour – and so this strengthens the behaviour
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What did Schwartz et al 1996 find?
Behavioural therapies such as exposure prevention therapy can reduce the symptoms of OCD
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The idea that a compulsion can reduce a person anxiety...
Makes sense and is supported by several different research studies and also the DSM-IV
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 Only explain the compulsive behaviour of a person with OCD and not..
The obsessive thoughts
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It explains the maintenance of the OCD but why...
Did the person first develop anxiety about contamination for example
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Fails to take into consideration...
Any of the biological theories
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why does this mean we develop OCD?

Back

 When the anxiety then goes away they unconsciously learn to associate the action with the removal of the anxiety and it therefore becomes a reflex response

Card 3

Front

A person may be anxious when they shake hands with somebody who is ill...

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What type of conidtioning is this?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How can repeation of this action result in OCD?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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