The statistical regression phenomenon: I. A metamodel

A metamodel for the traditional regression concept—consisting of two general parts—is proposed. The first part contains the basic and general definition of the concept, together with the central assumptions. The phenomenon is essentially defined as a conditional trend, predicted within a linear and bivariate regression system for a specified population, and as a function of the imperfectness of the correlation and of the extremeness of the selected score. The second part of the metamodel consists of special cases of the regression phenomenon, which are defined with respect to various psychometrical/distributional aspects, to various "sources" which reduce the correlation coefficient, and to observed and true scores. Also, the general features of the metamodel are elaborated, and correct and incorrect interpretations are pointed out.