Final answer:
Comparing self-perception to others' perceptions involves considering theories like the 'looking-glass self' and how social interactions inform our self-image, while recognizing the potential for biases and discrepancies between internal and external assessments of our personality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing self-perception to others’ perceptions about oneself, it is critical to reflect on the concept of the ‘looking-glass self’ theorized by Charles Herbert Cooley, who suggested that our self-image is shaped by how others respond to us. This concept underlines the importance of social interaction in developing our self-concept. In terms of personality assessments, research such as that by Atkins and Wood (2002) indicates that there can be discrepancies between how we rate ourselves and how others rate us, with both self-perception and others’ perceptions having their benefits and limitations in terms of accuracy.
George Herbert Mead also contributed to this discourse, expanding on the idea that we build our personal identity by interacting with others, which serves as a ‘mirror’ for self-reflection. Furthermore, biases such as cognitive bias, confirmation bias, and the false consensus effect can influence how we perceive ourselves and how we process feedback from others. Understanding these can be essential in negotiating between one’s identity and communication style and the expectations of the social, cultural, or environmental contexts in which we exist.