Regression toward the mean: Difference between revisions

'''Regression toward the mean''' refers to the mathematical fact that, following an extreme random event, the next random event is likely to be less extreme because the mean outcome is simply much more likely than an extreme outcome (at least if the outcomes accumulate around the mean which is the case in most psychometric variables). Regression toward the mean was first described by Francis Galton. Galton found that offspring of tall parents were still tall but shorter, than what common sense would suggest. Basically couples that are giants tend to reproduce slightly smaller giants. Also, offspring of shorter parents were still short but also taller, than what common sense would suggest. Basically midget couples tend to reproduce slightly taller midgets.