reflejen

Reflejen is a term found in several European languages to express the notion of reflection, broadly defined as the act or process of turning back or looking back. Depending on field and language, it can refer to physical reflection, cognitive reflection, or cultural reflection. The word’s root is the verb to reflect, from Latin reflectere.

In optics, reflejen denotes the portion of light or other waves that is redirected at the boundary between media. The amount reflected depends on the materials involved, the incidence angle, and surface texture. The classical law of reflection states that, for smooth surfaces, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. More detailed descriptions use Fresnel equations to quantify reflectance and transmittance, and distinguish between specular and diffuse reflection.

In psychology and philosophy, reflejen refers to reflective thinking or introspection—the deliberate examination of one’s thoughts, experiences, beliefs, and reasoning. It is a component of metacognition and is emphasized in educational settings to foster critical thinking, self-assessment, and learning from experience.

In arts and culture, reflejen is used to describe works and practices that invite viewers or participants to consider perception, memory, subjectivity, and social context. Here, reflection is often a creative mechanism that encourages deeper interpretation rather than a straightforward representation.

See also: reflection, introspection, metacognition, optics, mirror.