looking-glass self

a self-concept formed by incorporating other people’s views of oneself into one’s own self-views. The term suggests a self-concept that is, in part, a reflection of other people’s impressions, reactions, and opinions. See reflected appraisals; symbolic interactionism. [introduced by U.S. social thinker Charles Horton Cooley (1864–1929)]

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Psychology term of the day

February 24th 2025

simple structure

in exploratory factor analysis, a set of criteria for determining the adequacy of a factor rotation solution. These criteria require that each factor show a pattern of high factor loadings on certain variables and near-zero loadings on others and that each variable load on only one factor. This minimizes the complexity of the factor solution, allows each variable to be most strongly identified with a specific factor, and increases interpretability.