The Self from Sociological Perspectives

Charles Horton Cooley

American sociologist who proposed the “Looking-Glass Self” theory, where our self-image is shaped by how we think others see us.

Looking Glass Self Theory

It describes how our self-image is shaped by how we think others see us

Imagination

Looking-Glass Self (Stages)

We imagine how we appear to others.

Interpretation

Looking-Glass Self (Stages)

We imagine how others judge us.

Self-Feeling

Looking-Glass Self (Stages)

We develop our self-concept based on others’ feedback.

George Herbert Mead

American philosopher and sociologist who developed the Social Self Theory, stating that the self emerges from social interaction and communication.

Mead – Preparatory Stage

Stage (birth to age 2) where children imitate others without understanding their actions or words.

Mead – Play Stage

Stage (ages 3 to 6) where children engage in imaginative play and role-playing without following structured rules.

Mead – Game Stage

Stage (around age 7) where children begin to follow rules, take on multiple roles, and understand the perspective of the generalized other.

“I” Mead

Spontaneous, acts without considering social consequences.

“Me” Mead

Socialized self, shaped by expectations and norms.

Role-Taking (Mead)

Developing a sense of self by imagining how others perceive us and adjusting behavior accordingly.

Significant Others (Mead)

Individuals with direct influence on a person’s self-concept (e.g., parents, close family).

Generalized Others (Mead)

Society’s collective norms and expectations that individuals internalize as they mature.