statistical infrequency

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Created by
zara s <3

Cards (8)

  • what is statistical infrequency
    any behaviour that is numerically uncommon or rare
  • when does statistical infrequency come in
    when dealing with characteristics that can be reliably measured
    in any human characteristic the majority cluster around the average - the further above or below the average we go the fewer the people that will attain that score. - normal distribution
  • give an example of statistical infrequency
    average IQ is 100, most people range from 85-115 only 2% of people have an IQ below 70. they would be considered abnormal. could have intellectual disability disorder.
  • strength - usefulness
    it is used in clinical practice both as part of forma diagnosis and as a way to asses the severity of an individuals symptoms. e.g IDD requires an IQ below 70.
    it is used in assessment e.g becks depression inventory, a score of 30+ indicated severe depression
  • limitation - unclear cut-off point
    it does not state how numerically uncommon a behaviour has to be to be considered statistically infrequent. should below 10% of the population display it? or less than 5%? It is not made clear and therefore is incomplete
  • limitation- doesn't indicate a psychological disorder
    not all statistically infrequent behaviours indicate a psychological disorder that requires treatment. e.g few people have an IQ of 150, but it is desirable. cannot be used alone to diagnose psychological disorders
  • limitation - not all SI behaviours are SI
    10% of people will suffer the symptoms of depression at some point in their lives. this makes it quite a common disorder - therefore it wouldn't be recognised by statistical infrequency.
  • limitation - cultural relativism
    what is considered statistically infrequent in some cultures may be considered statistically frequent in another. e/g symptoms of schizophrenia include hearing voices - however, this is a common experience in some cultures. therefore it is culturally relative. therefore there are no universal standards for labelling behaviour as abnormal