statistical infrequency

Question 1

define statistical infrequency

Answer 1

occurs when an individual has a less common characteristic

e.g being more depressed or less intelligent than most of the population

Question 2

what is the average IQ?

what percentage of people score below?

Answer 2

• average IQ is set at 100
• 68% have a score in the range of 85 to 115
• only 2% score below 70 = intellectual disability disorder

Question 3

STRENGTH: how is statistical infrequency used in clinical practice?
what was Beck’s scores to be severely depressed?

Answer 3

• statistical infrequency is used in clinical practice as a formal diagnosis and as a way to assess the severity of the symptoms
• becks depression inventory = score of 30+ is severely depressed

Question 4

LIMITATION: unusual characteristics can be positive

what is an abnormal IQ?

Answer 4

• someone with an IQ above 130 is abnormal
• someone with a very low depression score as abnormal
• examples show that being at one end of a spectrum does not make someone abnormal