4.1.4a - Abnormality Definitions: Statistical Infrequency

Friday 12th January ‘24

What is it?

Counting up and measuring the number of people with different characteristics. Behaviour is seen as abnormal if statistically uncommon or not seen very often in society. Therefore, abnormality is determined by looking at the distribution of a particular behaviour in society.

How can this be seen in reality?

• Trait anxiety is when an individual displays high levels of anxiety. The mean is 40 and only 2% of the population can be seen with a score higher than 55. These people are regarded as abnormal.

Difficulty: labels people as abnormal just because they fit outside a range; cultural relativism.

Strengths: objective evaluation