Abstract

The term "regression" was first used in the 1889 by Sir Francis Gal ton in his book, Natural Inheritance (1). His Law of Universal Regression stated that "each peculiarity in man is shared by his kinsman, but on the average on a lesser degree". Under this law, for example, the sons of tall men, although tall, will be on average shorter than their fathers and the sons of short men although short, will tend to be taller than their fathers.

© 1987 Optical Society of America