Statistical deviation

Question 1

What is statistical deviation based on?

Answer 1

Infrequency

Question 2

What does statistical deviation use to define abnormality?

Answer 2

Maths

Question 3

When is an individual considered abnormal?

Answer 3

When they fall below or above the mean/normal distribution

Question 4

What are the strengths of this definition of abnormality?

Answer 4

• It allows there to be a cut off point for diagnosis
• Practical application to clinical assessment
• It takes into account the whole population

Question 5

How does IQ show that the statistical deviation is flawed?

Answer 5

It fails to recognise the desirability of the particular behaviour.
High IQ is infrequent but would be considered abnormal but this is a desirable trait

Question 6

How does diagnosis of depression show that the statistical deviation is flawed?

Answer 6

Some abnormal behaviours occur frequently
Depression is an abnormality but it is not statistically infrequent so by statistical deviation it would not be considered an abnormality

Question 7

What is the issue with using statistical deviation as a weakness?

Answer 7

There are cultural differences which need to be considered

Question 8

Is statistical deviation objective or subjective? How is this a strength?

Answer 8

Objective

There is no opinion or bias