Final answer:
The strengths of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality in psychology are its objective measure, clear cutoff points, and usefulness in diagnosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strengths of using statistical infrequency as a definition of abnormality in psychology are:
Objective measure: Statistical infrequency provides an objective measure of abnormality by identifying behaviors or characteristics that are rare or uncommon in a population. For example, if a behavior or characteristic occurs in less than 5% of the population, it can be considered statistically infrequent.
Clear cutoff point: Statistical infrequency allows for the establishment of clear cutoff points to determine abnormality. It provides a quantitative criterion that can be used to categorize individuals as either normal or abnormal.
Useful in diagnosis: Statistical infrequency is often used in diagnosing mental disorders. Diagnostic criteria for disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual Disability often include criteria based on statistical infrequency to determine if an individual's behavior or cognitive abilities are significantly different from the norm.