Lesson 3 - Definition Of Abnormality: Statistical Infrequency

Question 1

Define statistical infrequency

Answer 1

• occurs when an individual possesses a less common characteristic than most of the population
• behaviours displayed are statistically rare
• e.g. being extremely intelligent with an IQ score over 130.

Question 2

Ao1: statistical infrequency

Answer 2

• Any relatively unusual behaviour can be thought of as abnormal
• This means that when looking at statistics, the number of people who might display that behaviour might be infrequent or rare
• e.g when looking at IQ scores, the average IQ score is 100. Scores that are significantly higher than 100 (e.g. 130), or significantly lower than 100 (e.g. 70) are quite rare or statistically infrequent

Question 3

How do you display the data? What kind of graph? What does each type mean?

Answer 3

Normal distribution curve
- left/negative skewed (tail lies to the left)
- right/positive skewed (tail lies to the right)

Question 4

Ao3: strength of statistical infrequency
(Can be a good thing)

Answer 4

• to have an IQ score over 130 is just as unusual or statistically infrequent as having an IQ score below 70
• However, being very intelligent with an IQ score over 130 is not a negative behaviour, but is actually quite positive and desirable
• just because a behaviour is statistically infrequent does not mean that the person is abnormal and requires treatment

Question 5

Ao3: strength of statistical infrequency
(Judgements are based on objective data)

Answer 5

• scientific and unbiased data can help indicate abnormality and normality, (for example the IQ scores)
• results from these tests can indicate whether someone needs psychological help and assistance e.g. an IQ score below 70 could indicate mental disability

Question 6

Ao3: weakness of statistical infrequency
(Involves labelling some people as abnormal - not beneficial)

Answer 6

• person with a low IQ of 70 might be labelled in a negative manner by other members of society
• this could have a negative effect upon them and how they view themselves
• could affect self confidence and self esteem and lead to further problems

Question 7

Ao3: weakness of statistical infrequency
(Subjective cut off point between abnormality & normality)

Answer 7

• We need to decide the dividing line between where normality and abnormality starts and ends, and this is very subjective
• e.g. an IQ of 70 is abnormal and statistically infrequent, but an IQ score of 71 is normal?
• The cut off point can be questioned