We calculate the steady-state and first-order time varying atom-field correlation functions in the weak-excitation limit of absorptive optical bistability from a linearized theory of quantum fluctuations. We formulate a Fokker–Planck equation in the positive P representation following the phase-space analysis of [H. J. Carmichael, Phys. Rev. A 33, 3262 (1986)] which is suitable for the determination of cross-correlations as it does not resort to adiabatic elimination. Special emphasis is placed on the limit of collective strong coupling as attained from a vanishing photon-loss rate. We compare to the cavity-transmission spectrum with reference to experimental results obtained for macroscopic dissipative systems, discussing the role of anomalous correlations arising as distinct nonclassical features.