Statistical Definition of Abnormailty

Created by: Laura Bradley
Created on: 30-10-13 14:37


	Statistical Definition of Abnormailty
	Advantages Gives a quantitative measure that is objective. Advantage of an objective measurement is that it's more likely to be relevant and therefore suitable: someone else administering the same test is likely to get the same results and draw the same conclusion about abnormality. Some areas of functioning, such as IQ, highlight abnormality as lack of 'normal' functioning in some way. On a particular level this can be useful as evidence in support of requests for assistance and funding for those individuals identified. Having a 'number' isn't only useful because it's seen as objective but also because it's accepted as more scientific.	Disadvantages 'Abnormal' in both a statistical and a mental health sense may not be undesirable. An IQ score of 130+ is likely to be seen as desirable. What is statistically infrequent, like a genius, isn't necessarily considered 'bad'. 'Undesirability' is not a valid measure of what is thought of in society as abnormal. There are statistically frequent behaviours that are still considered abnormal. Depression is said to be frequent in current UK society. However, it's considered a mental health disorder and abnormal. Again, this shows the limitations of the definition. Abnormal behaviour is not rare. Most people are likely to show abnormal behaviour at some time in their lives.
	Evaluation One advantage of the statistical definition is that it gives quantitative data that is objective. This is an advantage because objective measurement is considered more relevant than qualitative data and so can be considered more suitable. For example if someone administered a test and got some results and then someone else did the same test and got the same results and they both drew the same conclusions about abnormality then this would be considered more relevant and so more suitable. One disadvantage abnormal in both a statistical and a mental health sense may not be undesirable. For example, an IQ of 130+ is likely to be seen as desirable. What is statistically infrequent isn't necessarily bad. So therefore, undesirability is not a valid measurement of what is thought of in society as abnormal. However, some areas of functioning, such as IQ, highlight abnormality as lack of normal functioning in some way. On a particular level this can be useful as evidence in support of requests for assistance and funding for those individuals identified. Having 'number' isn't only useful because it's seen as objective but also because it's accepted as more scientific.

Statistical Definition of Abnormailty

Advantages

Gives a quantitative measure that is objective. Advantage of an objective measurement is that it's more likely to be relevant and therefore suitable: someone else administering the same test is likely to get the same results and draw the same conclusion about abnormality.
Some areas of functioning, such as IQ, highlight abnormality as lack of 'normal' functioning in some way. On a particular level this can be useful as evidence in support of requests for assistance and funding for those individuals identified. Having a 'number' isn't only useful because it's seen as objective but also because it's accepted as more scientific.

Disadvantages

'Abnormal' in both a statistical and a mental health sense may not be undesirable. An IQ score of 130+ is likely to be seen as desirable. What is statistically infrequent, like a genius, isn't necessarily considered 'bad'. 'Undesirability' is not a valid measure of what is thought of in society as abnormal.
There are statistically frequent behaviours that are still considered abnormal. Depression is said to be frequent in current UK society. However, it's considered a mental health disorder and abnormal. Again, this shows the limitations of the definition.
Abnormal behaviour is not rare. Most people are likely to show abnormal behaviour at some time in their lives.

Evaluation

One advantage of the statistical definition is that it gives quantitative data that is objective. This is an advantage because objective measurement is considered more relevant than qualitative data and so can be considered more suitable. For example if someone administered a test and got some results and then someone else did the same test and got the same results and they both drew the same conclusions about abnormality then this would be considered more relevant and so more suitable. One disadvantage abnormal in both a statistical and a mental health sense may not be undesirable. For example, an IQ of 130+ is likely to be seen as desirable. What is statistically infrequent isn't necessarily bad. So therefore, undesirability is not a valid measurement of what is thought of in society as abnormal. However, some areas of functioning, such as IQ, highlight abnormality as lack of normal functioning in some way. On a particular level this can be useful as evidence in support of requests for assistance and funding for those individuals identified. Having 'number' isn't only useful because it's seen as objective but also because it's accepted as more scientific.

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Statistical Definition of Abnormailty