Retrogressively: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word combines 'retro-', meaning backward, with 'gress', from Latin meaning to step or move.
• First used in the late 19th century, it hinted at reversing progress, particularly in social or political contexts.

Psychology

• Reflections on retrogressive behavior suggest individuals may revert to earlier, less developed coping mechanisms when faced with stress.
• In child development, retrogressive behavior can be seen when a child might start bedwetting again after being fully toilet trained during times of anxiety.

Literature

• Writers often depict characters who retrogressively lose their moral compass, illustrating the struggle between good and evil.
• In dystopian novels, societies often retrogressively revert to authoritarian rule, showing the fragility of democratic ideals.

History

• In the context of history, regressive movements have often been associated with periods of crisis or upheaval, where once-progressive societies take steps backward.
• Throughout history, various revolutions aimed to regain lost rights sometimes ended up retrogressively imposing stricter controls than before.

Science

• In evolutionary biology, retrogression can refer to species that lose complex traits over time, suggesting that simplification can occur in evolution.
• In the study of ecosystems, retrogressive succession can happen when a previously developed area falls back into a less complex state due to disturbances.