Faculty Sponsor
Carissa Philippi
Final Abstract for URS Program
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is categorized by persistent, unwanted thoughts, called obsessions. and repetitive behaviors, called compulsions. The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) is a valid measure of OCD, and breaks the condition into six subtraits: Checking, Hoarding, Obsessing, Ordering, Neutralizing, & Washing. Prior research has suggested that one’s sense of agency, measured through the Sense of Agency Scale (SoAS), is lower in those with higher overall OCI-R scores compared to those with lower scores and controls. Additionally, sub-clinical checking has been negatively correlated with sense of agency, and sub-clinical hoarding and ordering have been positively correlated with sense of agency. However, there is still a gap in the literature, which this project aims to address, by determining the relationship between OCI-R subtrait scores as well as sense of agency, measured through the SoAS, and actual agency, measured through a Box Task. We found that the subtraits Hoarding, Obsessing, and Washing had a significant main effect on SoAS scores, with post-hoc tests revealing significant differences between low and high groups of Hoarding, Neutralizing, and Obsessing. Additionally, we found significant differences between low and moderate groups of Neutralizing, Obsessing, and Washing. As a whole, our results suggest that higher OCI-R scores, as well as more severe cases of subtraits Hoarding, Obsessing, Washing, and Neutralizing, lead to lessened feelings of one’s sense of agency. Specifically, Obsessing and Neutralizing showing significant differences in each group reveals that even smaller changes in severity can lead to a decreased sense of agency. While the main effect results we found line up with prior research, our results regarding subtraits differ, suggesting that there may be an aspect of variability due to unique differences between participants.
Presentation Type
Visual Presentation
Document Type
Article
Included in
Clinical Psychology Commons, Cognitive Neuroscience Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Other Psychology Commons