Psychopathology- Statistical infrequency

Question 1

Define statistical infrequency

Answer 1

defines abnormal behaviour using statistical measures

Question 2

When is a behaviour regarded as abnormal?

Answer 2

statistically uncommon/rare in that it is not present often or regularly per society

Question 3

Give an example of a case study where the patient’s behaviour could be regarded as statistically infrequent

Answer 3

-case of HM, who suffered extreme anterograde amnesia of a type which is highly unique and unusual

Question 4

How is behaviour regarded as normal or abnormal?

Answer 4

-according to where it is placed within a normal distribution
+
-Using standard deviations (2 standard deviation points away from the mean)

Question 5

What can be used to represent the proportions of a population who share a particular characteristic, e.g. IQ?

Answer 5

-A distribuition curve (graph)

Question 6

Give a strength of statistical infrequency- comparitive measure

Answer 6

-Statistical infrequency as a measure of abnormality provides clear points of comparison between people, making it easy to test and to use as an analytical tool e.g.:
-if person X scores 70 on an IQ test this falls a long way below the mean average for the population
-This statistically infrequent score indicates that extra help or interventions may be required for the person in question

Question 7

Give a limitation- validity

Answer 7

-Statistical infrequency would not recognise depression as abnormal behaviour
-Depression is estimated to affect around 280 million people across the world at any given time
-The high prevalence rate of depression means that it is not statistically deviant
-If depression is not statistically deviant then SI is not a fully valid measure of abnormality

Question 8

Give a limitation -

Answer 8

-A degree of inflexibility
-Scores at the top/bottom 2.5%
-Some behaviours that are not normal dont fit the ddefinition
-OCD= 3% of the populations
-Definition + current criteria for defining mental health issues don’t match

Question 9

Give a limitation- usefulness

Answer 9

-One statistically infrequent behaviour which is not necessarily undesirable or adverse is having an IQ of 175
-A high IQ is classified as statistically infrequent yet it could not be argued that having a high IQ is undesirable or limiting in the same ways as having a low IQ would be
-This mismatch in the measure limits the usefulness of statistical infrequency