Objective Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an illness that has a heterogeneous nature. Recently, obsessions have been classified as autogenous and reactive obsessions according to their cognitive development characteristics. In this study, it was aimed to compare the cognitive functions of reactive and autogenous OCD groups. Methods 67 OCD patients were divided into autogenous and reactive subgroups and the difference between the groups in terms of cognitive functions was examined. Patients with depression and other major mental illnesses were excluded from the study. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of the Rey auditory verbal learning test (AVLT), the Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST), and the Stroop test were administered to evaluate the attention, memory, and executive functions of the patients. Results There is no significant difference for gender, mean age, years of education, marital status and medication between two groups. As a result, BDI scores of autogenous OCD patients were significantly higher than those of reactive OCD patients. Reactive OCD patients were found to have lower AVLT -Rey 6 subtest scores, which are indicative of memory and proactive interference, than in the autogenous group. Conclusion The existence of possibly different neurobiological basis between autogenous and reactive OCD groups suggests that, there may be differences in cognitive functions among these patient groups. It is thought that there is a need for studies to be carried out in larger sample groups with more specific neuropsychological tests.