Statistical infrequency

• Behaviour that is numerically rare
• if someone is out of normal range of numbers (mean) they are considered abnormal
• The average IQ is between 85 and 115, those scoring below 70 are deemed abnormal
• Helps with receiving a diagnosis of a psychological disorder - intellectual disability disorder
• fewer people will attain scores above or below the average - normal distribution
• Strengths

  • High utility as it identifies people that need more support
  • Objective as its based on data
  • Measurable
  • Less biased as its based on numbers rather than opinions
• Weaknesses

  • may identify those that don’t need support
  • Data may be unreliable
  • Unethical to label someone purely based on numbers