Mirroring

Mirroring refers to the creation of a reflection or imitation of something. In optics, mirroring is the process by which light rays reflect off a surface, typically a smooth, polished plane or curved surface, producing a virtual image that is the same size and orientation as the object, though laterally inverted in a plane mirror. Curved mirrors can produce magnified or reduced images and may form real images, depending on geometry.

In psychology and social interaction, mirroring describes the unconscious or intentional imitation of another person's posture, gestures, speech, or facial expressions. This behavioral mimicry can facilitate rapport and smooth social interaction, but excessive or insincere mirroring can be perceived as manipulative.

In computing and information technology, data mirroring or disk mirroring refers to creating identical copies of data on two or more storage devices or locations. Synchronous mirroring updates both copies simultaneously, offering high redundancy but potentially higher latency; asynchronous mirroring introduces delay but preserves performance. Mirroring is common in backups, disaster recovery, and high-availability systems.

In biology and neuroscience, mirror neurons fire both when an individual performs an action and when they observe the same action, providing a neural basis for observational learning and imitation. The term "mirroring" is also used in animal cognition tests, such as the mirror test for self-recognition in some species.

While the term unifies these uses, contexts determine whether mirroring is a physical reflection, a behavioral imitation, or a data-duplication strategy.