Final answer:
The "Looking glass self" refers to the development of one's self-concept based on how others respond to us, as posited by Charles Cooley.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "Looking glass self" refers to the concept that our self-image is formed as a reflection of the responses and evaluations of others in our social environment. According to Charles Cooley, one of the pioneering sociologists, the perception of how others see us plays a crucial role in shaping our sense of self. Cooley's concept suggests that we envision how we appear to others, consider their reactions to us, and then integrate these perceptions into our self-concept. This mirroring process implies that we develop our identities through social interaction, creating a self-image that is heavily influenced by the way we interpret others' reactions.