When Patrick began participating in Dr. Z's experiment examining alcohol consumption in college students, he had just gone throu
gh a devastating breakup. In one week, he consumed 28 beers and reported this in his weekly log. Two weeks later, Patrick has moved on and his alcohol consumption fell into a range considered average. This is an example of :
This phenomenon occurs when the result of an experiment is extreme in the first measurement, but closer to the average (or mean) on the second. This can also occur the other way: close to the mean on the first measurement and extreme on the second.
It is an important factor to consider in scientific experiments, as it helps to avoid incorrect conclusions.
