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Definitions of abnormality - The Statistical Infrequency Definition -…
Definitions of abnormality - The Statistical Infrequency Definition
Statistics are gathered that claim to measure certain characteristics , with a view to showing how they are distributed throughout the general population
A normal distribution curve can be drawn to show what proportions of people share the characteristics and behaviour in question
Most people will be on or near the mean for these characteristics or behaviours with declining amounts of people away from the mean
Any individiuals who fall outside the normal distribution , usually about 5% of a population ( 2 standard deviation points away from the mean ) are perceived as being abnormal
An example is IQ
The definition goes no further than declaring which behaviours are abnormal and makes no judgements about quality of life or the nature of mental disorders
Strengths
Can be appropriate
In many situations statistical criteria can define abnormality , eg mental retardation
Objective
Once a way of collecting the data and a cut off point has been agreed it becomes an objective way of deciding who is normal
No value judgements
No judgements are made so for example homosexuality which was defined as a mental disorder under early versions of diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists , would not be seen under this definition as wrong or unacceptable , simply less frequent as heterosexuality
Evidence for assistance
Statistical evidence that a person has a mental disorder can be used to justify requests for psychiatric assistance
Based on real data
The definition relies on real , unbiased data and so again is an objective means of defining abnormality
Overall view
The definition gives an overview of what behaviours and characteristics are infrequent within a given population
Limitations
Where to draw the line
Its not clear how far behaviour should deviate from the norm to be seen as abnormal . Many disorders such as depression vary greatly between individuals in terms of severity
Not all infrequent behaviours are abnormal
Some rare behaviours and characteristics are desirable rather than being undesirable , eg being highly intelligent is statistically rare but desirable
Not all abnormal behaviours are infrequent
Some statistically frequent behaviours are actually abnormal . About 10% of people will be chronically depressed at some point in their lives , which suggests that under this definition it is not abnormal
Cultural factors
What is statistically normal in one culture may not be in another , this can lead to the problem of judging people of one culture by the statistical norms of another culture
