Mindframes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A particular set of attitudes, beliefs, or mental frameworks that influence how someone perceives and reacts to various situations
2. The cognitive structures that shape an individual’s understanding and interpretation of experiences, guiding behavior and decision-making
3. The habitual patterns of thought that dictate one's approach to problems or interactions, reflecting various psychological perspectives

Etymology: "Mindframes" is the plural of "mindframe," a compound of "mind" and "frame." The older phrase it grew from is "frame of mind," which dates to the 17th century and originally referred to a person's mental state or disposition at a given moment. The metaphor behind "frame" is structural: a frame is a supporting skeleton or framework, so a frame of mind is the underlying structure within which thoughts and attitudes are arranged. The single-word form "mindframe" is a later compression of that phrase. Its plural, "mindframes," is used for the several habitual attitudes a person or group holds, rather than a single momentary state, which is the sense the modern noun carries.

Synonyms: mindsets, perspectives, viewpoints, attitudes, outlooks