Learn to distinguish a compulsion from a desire or routine by linking a repeated behaviour or mental act to an obsession or reduced distress in AP Psychology.
Professor Menendez conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of a new medication for treating the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Part A Explain the concept of compulsion in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Point 1: Compulsion
Responses must indicate that a compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act (e.g., counting) in response to
an obsession or done to reduce anxiety/distress.
- Score: "Jamal washes his hands a lot to reduce his anxiety."
- Do NOT score: "Ricardo wants to wash his hands all the time because he thinks it will make him feel
better" because desires (beliefs, needs, wants, etc.) are not a behavior.
- Do NOT score: "Amy tidies her room regularly" because it is not a response to an obsession or done to
reduce anxiety.
Part B