regression (redirected from regression toward the mean)

regression, in psychology: see defense mechanism.

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regression

In statistics, a process for determining a line or curve that best represents the general trend of a data set. Linear regression results in a line of best fit, for which the sum of the squares of the vertical distances between the proposed line and the points of the data set are minimized (see least squares method). Other types of regression may be based on higher-degree polynomial functions or exponential functions. A quadratic regression, for example, uses a quadratic function (second-degree polynomial function) to produce a parabola of best fit.

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regression

1. Psychol the adoption by an adult or adolescent of behaviour more appropriate to a child, esp as a defence mechanism to avoid anxiety

2. Astronomy the slow movement around the ecliptic of the two points at which the moon's orbit intersects the ecliptic. One complete revolution occurs about every 19 years

3. Geology the retreat of the sea from the land

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1.	(mathematics)	regression - A mathematical method where an empirical function is derived from a set of experimental data.
2.		regression - regression testing.