Our use of how we think others perceive us as a mirror for perceiving ourselves is described by sociologist Charles H. Cooley as: a. self-justification. b. the looking-glass self. c. a self-fulfilling prophecy. d. self-realization.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is b. the looking-glass self.
Charles H. Cooley’s concept of the looking-glass self refers to the idea that an individual’s self-concept is shaped and developed through their perceptions of how others view them. Cooley believed that people gain self-awareness and identity by imagining how they appear to others, interpreting others’ reactions to them, and then developing a self-image based on these interpretations. Essentially, people use others as a mirror to reflect and form their sense of who they are.
There are three main components in the looking-glass self:
- Imagining how others perceive us: This is the first step, where individuals think about how they appear to others, whether through physical appearance, actions, or behaviors.
- Interpreting others’ reactions: In this step, people try to understand or imagine how others respond to them, whether they are approving, disapproving, or indifferent. This interpretation is subjective and can vary based on individual perspectives.
- Developing a self-concept: Finally, based on the imagined judgments and reactions of others, a person forms their self-concept. This self-concept is influenced by how they believe they are viewed and evaluated by others, leading to feelings of pride, embarrassment, or self-doubt, depending on the perceived reactions.
The looking-glass self highlights how our self-perception is not solely internal but is constantly shaped by the feedback and imagined viewpoints of the people around us. This concept suggests that our identity is not fixed but can change depending on how we interpret others’ views of us. It also emphasizes the social nature of identity formation, as individuals are seen as inherently interconnected with the social world around them.