4.1: The statistical infrequency definition Flashcards
What is the idea of the statistical infrequency definition?
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to do what?
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain:
- Characteristics
- Behaviours
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing what?
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain:
1. Characteristics
2. Behaviours
,with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population
Statistical infrequency
Statistical infrequency is behaviours that are rare
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population.
How does the normal distribution curve show the majority of people?
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population.
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle - what are these people defined as?
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle - these people are defined as ‘normal’
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population.
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle - these people are defined as ‘normal.’
Relatively few people fall at either end - who are these?
Relatively few people fall at either end - these are the extremes
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population.
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle - these people are defined as ‘normal.’
Relatively few people fall at either end - these are the extremes.
However, if they are, then what?
If they are, then they’re defined as abnormal
The idea of the statistical infrequency definition is that behaviours that are statistically rare should be seen as abnormal.
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics and behaviours, with a view of showing how they are distributed throughout the general population.
The normal distribution curve shows the majority of people as being in the middle - these people are defined as ‘normal.’
Relatively few people fall at either end - these are the extremes.
However, if they are, then they’re defined as abnormal.
Example
For example:
- The amount of calories consumed in one day
- Weight, with anorexia and obesity as the 2 extremes
Strengths:
1. Sometimes the statistical infrequency definition can be more appropriate, when there is a clear measurement.
In many situations, statistical criteria can define abnormality.
For example, mental retardation with IQ - there is a clear cut-off point.
2. Objective.
Once a way of collecting data about a behaviour/characteristic and a ‘cut-off’ point has been agreed, it becomes an objective way of deciding who is abnormal.
3. No value judgements.
No judgements are made, so, for example, homosexuality, which was defined as a mental disorder under early versions of diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists, would not be seen under the statistical infrequency definition as ‘wrong’ or ‘unacceptable,’ but merely as less frequent than heterosexuality.
4. Evidence for assistance.
Statistical evidence that a person has a mental disorder can be used to justify requests for psychiatric assistance.
5. Based on real data.
The statistical infrequency definition relies on real, unbiased data and so again is an objective means of defining abnormality.
6. Overall view.
The statistical infrequency definition gives an overview of what behaviours and characteristics are infrequent within a given population
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Weaknesses:
1. Where to draw the line.
It’s not clear how far behaviour should deviate from the norm to be seen as abnormal.
Many disorders, like depression, vary greatly between individuals in terms of their severity.
2. Not all infrequent behaviours (those showing statistical infrequency) are abnormal.
Some rare and abnormal behaviours are desirable, rather than being undesirable.
For example, being highly intelligent (having a high IQ) is statistically rare, but desirable.
3. Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent.
Some statistically frequent ‘normal’ behaviours are actually abnormal.
About 10% of people will be chronically depressed at some point in their lives, which suggests that depression is so common as to not be seen as abnormal under this definition.
4. Cultural factors.
The definition doesn’t consider cultural factors.
What is statistically normal in one culture may not be in another.
This can lead to the problem of judging people of one culture by the statistical norms of another culture.
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