Normal curve

2013

Marc J. Tasse
[email protected]
614-685-3193

The normal curve represents the shape of an important class of statistical probabilities (see figure below). The normal curve is used to characterize complex constructs containing continuous random variables. Many phenomena observed in nature have been found to follow a normal distribution. Some human attributes such as height, weight, intelligence, and even social skills can be said to normally distributed. For example, most peoples height clusters around the population mean, and a equally small proportion of people are represented at either extreme end of the distribution. When represented graphically, the resulting shape resembles that of a bell where there is a single peak at the mean, while the tails extend to the right and left into infinity. Thus the probability of being 510 is relatively high, while the probability of being 74 is much smaller. Raw data from any number of disciplines can be transformed into standard scores using a simple formula.

Normal curve, Guasian curve, autism, Statistics, psychometrics

Book Chapter

Professionals, Policymakers, Students

Electronic (disc, CD, 508 compliant web posting)

N/A