Imagine standing in front of a mirror and observing yourself. What do you see? Apart from your physical appearance, how do you feel about yourself? Do you see a confident, attractive person or do you see someone who is not good enough? Our self-perception is often influenced by the feedback we receive from others. This phenomenon is called the ‘Looking Glass Self’. This article explores the concept in detail and offers insights into how it shapes our behavior.
Defining the ‘Looking Glass Self’
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ is defined as the process of how a person’s self-image and behavior are influenced by the perception and feedback of others. According to this concept, we imagine what other peoples’ opinions of us might be, and based on this perception, we develop a sense of self-worth.
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ concept consists of three elements:
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Imagining how we must appear to others. In social situations, we are constantly imagining how we must appear to others, whether we come across as confident or shy, outgoing or introverted, and so on.
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Imagining what others must be thinking about us: We not only imagine how we might appear to others but what they must be thinking about us. For instance, if we tell a joke, we might wonder whether others found it funny or not. This perception of others influences our self-esteem and self-perception.
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Developing our self-image: Based on the feedback we receive from others, we develop our self-image. If others’ opinions of us are positive, our self-image is likely to be positive as well. However, if we receive negative feedback, our self-image may be negative, leading to low self-esteem and self-worth.
The Impact of the ‘Looking Glass Self’ on Our Behavior
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ concept influences our behavior in the following ways:
1. Self-Presentation
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ often motivates people to engage in self-presentation. We are constantly motivated to present ourselves in a positive light to others. We might dress a certain way or act in a certain manner to impress others or gain their approval. For example, students might dress up for a college fest to impress peers, or someone might pretend to like a trendy TV show or music just to fit in.
2. Self-Evaluation
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ also leads us to evaluate ourselves using the same standards we use to evaluate others. We evaluate our abilities, appearance, and behavior, based on the feedback we receive from others. For example, we might compare ourselves to others, wondering why they receive more compliments or have more friends.
3. Self-Knowledge
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ helps us gain self-knowledge. Through feedback from others, we become aware of our strengths and weaknesses. We may also learn about our likes and dislikes, how we interact with others, what we are good at, and what we can improve on.
An Example
To understand the concept better, let’s take a look at an example. Suppose Sarah is an introverted person, but she is surrounded by extroverted friends. Her friends might perceive her as quiet and shy, which might lead Sarah to see herself as an introvert as well, even though she might not identify herself as one initially. Sarah might start to believe that being introverted is a negative trait because her extroverted friends seem to be more popular and charismatic. This might lead Sarah to change how she behaves around people, trying to appear more outgoing and confident.
Key Takeaways
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The ‘Looking Glass Self’ is the process of how a person’s self-image and behavior are influenced by the perception and feedback of others.
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Our self-perception is often influenced by the feedback we receive from others. This can lead to a positive or negative self-image, depending on the feedback.
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The ‘Looking Glass Self’ concept motivates us to engage in self-presentation, self-evaluation, and helps us gain self-knowledge.
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We develop our self-image based on the feedback we receive from others.
Conclusion
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ is an essential concept as it sheds light on how our self-perception is influenced by others. The feedback we receive from others can shape our behavior and thoughts, leading to an altered self-image. Hence, it is important to understand the ‘Looking Glass Self’ phenomenon, be self-aware, and not let others’ perceptions define who we are.
FAQs
What is the ‘Looking Glass Self’ concept?
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ is defined as the process of how a person’s self-image and behavior are influenced by the perception and feedback of others. According to this concept, we imagine what other peoples’ opinions of us might be, and based on this perception, we develop a sense of self-worth.
How does the ‘Looking Glass Self’ impact our behavior?
The ‘Looking Glass Self’ influences our behavior by motivating us to engage in self-presentation, self-evaluation, and helps us gain self-knowledge. We also develop our self-image based on the feedback we receive from others.