Question

Explain how the concept of The Look-Glass Self - In other words, how does this theory explain self-development? →(Be able to define its steps & how it works)

Answer 1

The Looking Glass Self is a sociological theory by Charles Cooley, positing that individuals form their self-concept by interpreting how they believe others view them through a three-step process involving perception, interpretation, and development of a self-concept based on these impressions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding the Looking Glass Self-

Developed by sociologist Charles Cooley in 1902, the concept of the Looking Glass Self plays a crucial role in understanding self-development. According to this theory, individuals build their sense of self through the perceptions they believe others have of them. This social theory outlines a three-step process:

1. We imagine how we appear to others.
2. We interpret others' reactions to us, which leads to feelings and judgments about ourselves.
3. We develop a self-concept, whether that be positive or negative, that incorporates those perceptions and reactions.

Our self-image is therefore a product of the interactions we have and the way we believe others perceive us. This theory highlights that self-concept is not developed in isolation but is instead a reflective process based on sociability and feedback from others. This sociological perspective on self-development is distinct from psychological perspectives, which may focus more on individual cognition and stages of development. Cooley's theory is complemented by other sociologists such as Goffman and Mead, who emphasize the social aspects of self-development, including how individuals present themselves in society and how self-conception is shaped through social processes.