Statistical Infrequency

Question 1

What is statistical infrequency?

Answer 1

• Abnormal behaviour which is rare or uncommon
—> any individual outside the ‘normal
distribution’ is abnormal (5%pop)

Question 2

What is a strength of statistical infrequency?

Answer 2

Objective way of defining abnormality
• Uses unbiased statistical data to
establish rare behaviours
—> Free from human bias

Question 3

What is a limitation of Statistical Infrequency? (rarity)

Answer 3

Some disorders are not statistically rare
• Depression and anxiety are common
mental health disorders
—> would not be deemed abnormal as
they aren’t statistically rare

Question 4

What is a limitation of statistical infrequency? (desirability)

Answer 4

Fails to account for rare, but desireable behaviours
• Very high IQ is statistically infrequent but would be deemed abnormal