**L4 - Statistical Infrequency

Question 1

what is the STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY DEFINITION OF ABNORMALITY?

Answer 1

Under this definition, ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR is that which is STATISTICALLY RARE

Question 2

STATISTICAL FREQUENCY EXAMPLE

Answer 2

In STATISTICAL TERMS, instances of ABNORMALITY would LIE AT BOTH EXTREMES OF A NORMAL DISTRIBUTION

For example, when looking at IQ SCORES, the AVERAGE IQ SCORE IS 100. Scores that are SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN 100, or SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER than 100 are QUITE RARE or STATISTICALLY INFREQUENT and would be classed as ABNORMAL

Question 3

STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY POPULATION IQ DISPLAY

Answer 3

When looking at IQ SCORES we can represent this information as a SYMMETRICAL BELL CURVE otherwise known as a NORMAL DISTRIBUTION CURVE.

95% of the POPULATION will have an AVERAGE IQ SCORE.

However, 2.5% will have an ABOVE AVERAGE IQ SCORE (e.g 130) and 2.5% will have a BELOW AVERAGE IQ SCORE (e.g 70).

Question 4

DIAGRAMS - bell curves, symmetrical and non symmetrical, be aware of where the measures of central tendency lie in relation to the peak.

SKEW RULE: dash at the start, what sign does it create? Negative or positive

Answer 4

On notability

Question 5

• RARE BUT DESIRABLE (LIMITATIONS OF STATISTICAL INFREQUENCY)

Answer 5

• this definition FAILS TO ACCOUNT for behaviour that is STATISTICALLY RARE BUT DESIRABLE.

For example, someone who has an ABOVE AVERAGE IQ would not be SEEN AS ABNORMAL; on the contrary they would be VERY HIGHLY REGARDED FOR THEIR INTELLIGENCE

Question 6

• PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS (LIMITATIONS OF DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH)

Answer 6

• sone PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS are NOT STATISTICALLY RARE. Depression may affect 27% OF ELDERLY PEOPLE. This would make it COMMON, but that does NOT MEAN THAT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM

Question 7

• LEFT HANDEDNESS (LIMITATIONS OF DEVIATION FROM IDEAL MENTAL HEALTH)

Answer 7

• many RARE BEHAVIOURS or CHARACTERISTICS have NO BEARING ON NORMALITY OR ABNORMALITY (e.g LEFT HANDEDNESS)