Statistical Infrequency Flashcards
When is a person’s trait, thinking or behaviour classified as abnormal?
If it is rare of statistically unusual
What is an example of abnormal?
An individual who has an IQ below or above the average level of IQ in society
Why does this definition of abnormality have limitation?
Fails to recognise the desirability of the particular behaviour
What does this definition imply?
That the presence of abnoral bhaviour in people should be rare or statistically unusual
What can the definition provide?
An objective way, based on data, to define abnormality if an agreed cut off point can be identified
How can this definition of abnormality place no value judgement?
Homosexuality was defined as a mental disorder under early versions of the diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists, wouldn’t be seen as wrong but merely as less frequent than heterosexuality
What does the definition fail to distinguish?
Between desirable and undesirable behaviour
Many gifted individuals could be classified as ‘abnormal’ using this definition
