,Statistical infrequency
This occurs when an individual has a less
common characteristic.
Any unusual behaviour will be more than two
standard deviations from the mean, that is, it
will be found in less than 5% of the population.
For example, IQ and intellectual disorder:
• The majority of people’s score will cluster
around the average - normal distribution.
• Those very below the average may have
intellectual disability disorder.
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
Advantages
Real-world application:
• It is used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis and a
way to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms.
This shows that the value of statistical infrequency criteria is useful in
diagnosis and assessment processes.
Limitations
Unusual characteristics can be positive:
• For every person with an IQ below the average, there is another above.
• We would not think of someone as abnormal for having a high IQ.
This means that, although it can form part of assessment and diagnosis
procedures, it is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality.
Benefits versus problems:
• Some unusual people benefit from being classed as abnormal.
• For example, someone who has a low IQ can access support services.
• However, they may not benefit from labels as there is a social stigma.
This makes us consider if we should label unusual people as abnormal.
, Deviation from social norms
This concerns behaviour that is different from the social
norms of behaviour in society.
Social norms are a set of rules for behaviour based on a set
of moral and conventional standards within society.
Evaluation of deviation of social norms
Advantages
Real-world application:
• It is used in clinical practice.
• Example: the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to
conform to norms.
This shows that the deviation to social norms criteria has value in diagnosis.
Limitations
Cultural relativism:
• One cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their
standards rather than the person's standards.
• Example: the experience of hearing voices is the norm in some cultures as messages from
ancestors but would be seen as a sign of abnormality in the UK.
This means that it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different cultures.
Varies over time:
• What is acceptable now may not have been 50 years ago.
• In the past, mental health professionals could classify people as ill if they went against
moral/social attitudes.
• Example: nymphomania has been used as a way to control women in the past.
This means not everybody that has been diagnosed will actually have a mental disorder.
This occurs when an individual has a less
common characteristic.
Any unusual behaviour will be more than two
standard deviations from the mean, that is, it
will be found in less than 5% of the population.
For example, IQ and intellectual disorder:
• The majority of people’s score will cluster
around the average - normal distribution.
• Those very below the average may have
intellectual disability disorder.
Evaluation of statistical infrequency
Advantages
Real-world application:
• It is used in clinical practice, both as a part of formal diagnosis and a
way to assess the severity of an individual’s symptoms.
This shows that the value of statistical infrequency criteria is useful in
diagnosis and assessment processes.
Limitations
Unusual characteristics can be positive:
• For every person with an IQ below the average, there is another above.
• We would not think of someone as abnormal for having a high IQ.
This means that, although it can form part of assessment and diagnosis
procedures, it is never sufficient as the sole basis for defining abnormality.
Benefits versus problems:
• Some unusual people benefit from being classed as abnormal.
• For example, someone who has a low IQ can access support services.
• However, they may not benefit from labels as there is a social stigma.
This makes us consider if we should label unusual people as abnormal.
, Deviation from social norms
This concerns behaviour that is different from the social
norms of behaviour in society.
Social norms are a set of rules for behaviour based on a set
of moral and conventional standards within society.
Evaluation of deviation of social norms
Advantages
Real-world application:
• It is used in clinical practice.
• Example: the key defining characteristic of antisocial personality disorder is the failure to
conform to norms.
This shows that the deviation to social norms criteria has value in diagnosis.
Limitations
Cultural relativism:
• One cultural group may label someone from another group as abnormal using their
standards rather than the person's standards.
• Example: the experience of hearing voices is the norm in some cultures as messages from
ancestors but would be seen as a sign of abnormality in the UK.
This means that it is difficult to judge deviation from social norms across different cultures.
Varies over time:
• What is acceptable now may not have been 50 years ago.
• In the past, mental health professionals could classify people as ill if they went against
moral/social attitudes.
• Example: nymphomania has been used as a way to control women in the past.
This means not everybody that has been diagnosed will actually have a mental disorder.
