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regression

rih-GRESH-un /rɪˈɡreʃ.ən/

nounC1GREMCATUSMLE

academicclinical

A return to a former, less developed, or earlier psychological state, behavior, or developmental level.

In psychoanalysis, it represents an ego defense mechanism where an individual reverts to earlier coping mechanisms under stress.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'regredi', from 're-' (back) and 'gradus' (a step). Sigmund Freud popularized the term in 'The Interpretation of Dreams' (1900) to explain how libido retreats to earlier developmental stages under psychological stress.

Word relationships

reversion: Reversion refers broadly to returning to a prior condition, whereas regression often carries clinical developmental connotations.

progression: Progression refers to forward developmental movement.

Commonly confused with

retrogression: Retrogression implies structural deterioration or decline, while psychological regression is specifically behavioral/emotional retreat.

Word family

regress (verb): To return to a former or less developed state.
regressive (adjective): Tending to regress.

Collocations

behavioral regression
developmental regression
psychological regression
exhibit regression

Example sentences

"Under extreme trauma, the patient exhibited psychological regression, demanding to be held like an infant." Clinical psychoanalysis

Memory hook

RE-GRESS is to STEP BACKWARDS along your PROGRESS path. Stepping back into past behaviors.

When not to use

Do not confuse with deliberate behavioral choices; regression is typically an unconscious psychological reaction to anxiety.

Fun facts

In statistical analysis, regression analysis owes its name to Francis Galton's observation that children of tall parents tend to 'regress' toward average height.

Related words

stagnation, maturation, attachment

Explore more words

regress, retrograde, fixation, flashback, repress, degradation