Which of the following describes the term used for the return to a mean score during retesting?

The term that describes the phenomenon of individuals scoring closer to the average (mean) in retesting, after an extreme score—whether high or low—has been achieved, is known as "Regression Toward the Mean." This concept is rooted in statistical theory, indicating that while extreme scores are possible, they are often the result of a combination of factors including random variability. When retesting, individuals are likely to score closer to the mean due to this variability evening out over time.

This term emphasizes that performance on tests can fluctuate due to various influences, and as such, scores that deviate significantly from the average are often followed by scores that are more typical or average upon subsequent assessments. Understanding this concept is crucial for interpreting test data in psychology, as it affects how we perceive changes in performance over time.

In contrast, the other terms do not capture this specific statistical phenomenon: standardization refers to the process of creating uniform procedures for administering and scoring tests, normalization pertains to adjusting scores to fit a normal distribution, and adjustment to the mean is not a widely recognized term in psychological testing. Thus, "Regression Toward the Mean" is the most accurate term used in this context.