# Self-Reflection

> A model-generated critique or review step intended to improve a prior answer or plan.

- Category: Reasoning & Inference
- Stage: Rising
- Also called: Reflection, Self-critique
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/self-reflection

## Plain English

The AI checks its own work before handing it over.

## Example

An agent writes a migration plan, critiques missing risks, and revises the plan.

## Why it matters

Reflection can help, but it needs external checks because a model can confidently miss its own mistakes.

## Related

- [Evaluator-Optimizer](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/evaluator-optimizer)
- [Evals](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/evals)
- [Judge Model](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/judge-model)

## Sources

- [Anthropic: Building Effective Agents](https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/building-effective-agents)