Psychological Disorder: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Psychological Disorder: Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

     Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a condition characterized by perfectionism, interpersonally controlling, and devoted to details (Sue, Sue,  & Sue, 2010). Individuals with obsessive – compulsive personality disorder also have a preoccupation with behaviors such as orderliness, perfectionism, and control. Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder is a more common personality disorder than at first believed. Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder does not appear to have many cultural boundaries. The behaviors of obsessive – compulsive personality disorder as a whole are considered abnormal from the perspective of any culture. 

Human Development and Socialization

     Human development refers to the physical, psychological, and social behavior changes in an individual (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). These changes occur over the course of a life span. Socialization refers to the process where an individual becomes a member of a culture (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). This process involves learning and adopting the values, beliefs, and behaviors of the culture. Human development and socialization are both life – long processes beginning at birth and ending at death. During human development individuals can change or alter the beliefs, behaviors, and values. The cultural expectations are formed in childhood where parents demonstrate the expectations to be learned and how. Human development usually occurs without regard to social construct. However, the characteristics of a culture determine an individual’s socialization. These characteristics usually become a component of an individual’s unconscious. 

Effects of Human Development on Obsessive - Compulsive Personality Disorder

     Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder is the most prevalent personality disorder in the general population affecting 7.9% of the population (Samuel & Widiger, 2010). Studies have been conducted cross – culturally to determine prevalence of obsessive – compulsive personality disorder. One study concluded that prevalence rates were similar; whereas, another study concluded that obsessive – compulsive personality disorder was less prevalent in Asians and Hispanics (de Reus & Emmelkamp, 2012). It was concluded that obsessive – compulsive personality disorder was more common in males and in the Caucasian and African – American ethnicities. Some researchers believe that obsessive – compulsive personality disorder has traces of origination from Freud’s “anal” character traits. However, other researchers believe there is not enough evidence to support this theory. Another theory of some researchers is that the attachment theory plays a role in obsessive – compulsive personality disorder. Some researchers believe that the attachment theory has an important role in the development of personality disorder (de Reus & Emmelkamp, 2012). According to this belief, obsessive – compulsive personality disorder appears to not be cultural based, but rather caused by parenting factors. Studies are also mixed when relating to the heritability of obsessive – compulsive personality disorder. Due to the conflicting theories of the factors causing obsessive – compulsive personality disorder, more research should be conducted to learn what causes the disorder. 

Effects of Socialization on Obsessive - Compulsive Personality Disorder

     Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder is a disorder where the characteristics can significantly reduce the quality of life. The preoccupation with rules, details, and possible errors can cause indecision in an individual (Sue, Sue,  & Sue, 2010). This indecision can cause the individual to not see the bigger picture while making a decision. Individuals with obsessive – compulsive personality disorder see their way as the only correct way to function. This can be linked to cultural expectations. There is, however, not enough evidence to support this belief. The individual with obsessive – compulsive personality disorder has a way of relating to the world. This style is usually a product of their own strict standards (Sue, Sue,  & Sue, 2010). The lack of studies on obsessive – compulsive personality disorder leaves the exact causes as a mystery. Obsessive – compulsive personality disorder tends to run in families; therefore, promoting the biological theories. The results of cross – cultural studies suggests that obsessive – compulsive personality disorder may be caused by the socialization within cultures.

 Conclusion

      Human development and socialization are important components of an individual’s personality. Cross – cultural psychology studies the effects of cultures on an individual’s personality. Studies have been conducted to establish a link between human development, socialization, and obsessive – compulsive personality disorder. The characteristics of obsessive – compulsive personality disorder are considered abnormal throughout cultures.   

References

Samuel, D., & Widiger, T. (2010). A comparison of obsessive - compulsive personality disorder scales. Journal of Personality Assessment, 92(3), 232 - 240. doi:10.1080/00223891003670182

Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2010). Cross - Cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/ Allyn Bacon.

Sue, D., Sue, D. W., & Sue, S. (2010). Understanding Abnormal Behavior (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

de Reus, R. M., & Emmelkamp, P. G. (2012). Obsessive - Compulsive personality disorder: a review of current empirical findings. Personality and Mental Health, 6(1), 1-21. doi:10.1002/pmh.144

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