THEORY OF

THE LOOKING
GLASS SELF
BY: CHARLES H. COOLEY
CHARLES H. COOLEY
• American Sociologist
• Known for his concept of the
“Looking Glass Self”
• Masters in Political Science and a
PhD in Sociology
WHO ARE YOU?
Where did those ideas
and descriptions come
from?
 The Looking Glass Self
States that a person develops their self image based on
the responses of others as well as their perception of
how others see and judge them.
The Looking Glass Theory
- social interaction play a more
important role
- social interaction as a type of
mirror
- people use the judgements they
receive from others to measure
their own worth, values, and
behavior
Core Assumptions
1. An Individual in a social situation imagines how
they appear to others.
2. That individual imagines others’ judgement of
appearance.
3. The Individual develops feelings and responds to
those perceived judgements.
THANK YOU!