Charles Cooley- Looking glass self | Individuals and Society | MCAT | Khan Academy

Summary

Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the norms and behaviors of their culture through interactions with others. This includes family, friends, teachers, and even strangers. Sociologist Charles Cooley's 'looking glass self' theory explains that our self-image is shaped by how we think others perceive us, which may be correct or incorrect. For example, a student might misinterpret a teacher's harsh grading as a sign of low ability, affecting their self-esteem and effort. However, further interactions can help correct these perceptions, leading to a more accurate self-view.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Socialization is the process of learning attitudes, values, and behaviors appropriate to one's culture and community.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Socialization occurs through observation and interaction with people around us, including family, friends, teachers, and even strangers.
• 📺 Influencers like doctors, nurses, and celebrities also play a role in teaching us how to act within our community.
• 🪞 Sociologist Charles Cooley's 'looking glass self' theory explains how our self-image is shaped by our perceptions of how others see us.
• 👀 The first step in Cooley's theory is imagining how we appear to others.
• 💭 The second step is imagining how others evaluate us based on their observations.
• 😊 The third step is developing feelings about ourselves based on these imagined evaluations.
• ❌ Cooley believed we are influenced not by actual opinions of others, but by what we imagine their opinions to be.
• 📉 Incorrect perceptions, such as thinking a harshly graded paper means we lack intelligence, can negatively impact our self-image.
• 🔄 Future interactions, like discussing feedback with a teacher, can help revise incorrect perceptions and positively influence our self-image.

Q & A

What is socialization and how does it occur?

Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the attitudes, values, and behaviors that are considered appropriate and expected by their culture and community. It typically occurs through observation and interaction with the people around us, including family, friends, teachers, and even strangers we encounter in daily life.

Who can influence our socialization process?

Everyone we come across in our daily lives can influence our socialization, from close ones like family and friends to professionals like doctors and nurses, public figures like celebrities, and even people we stand next to in a supermarket line.

How does socialization affect our self-image?

Socialization shapes our self-image by influencing how we view ourselves within our community. This is often based on our perceptions of how we are perceived by others, which can be influenced by their imagined evaluations of us.

What is the 'looking glass self' concept introduced by Charles Cooley?

The 'looking glass self' is a concept introduced by sociologist Charles Cooley to describe how our self-image is formed not only by our contemplation of our personal qualities but also by our perceptions of how we are perceived by others.

What are the three steps in the 'looking glass self' process according to Cooley?

The three steps are: 1) Imagining how we appear to others, 2) Imagining how others evaluate us based on their observations, and 3) Developing feelings about ourselves based on our impressions of their evaluations.

How does Cooley's theory suggest that our self-identity is formed?

According to Cooley, our self-identity is formed based on what we imagine the opinions of others to be, which means it can be influenced by both correct and incorrect perceptions of how others see us.

Can you provide an example of how incorrect perceptions can affect a student's self-image?

An example is a student receiving a harshly graded paper from a teacher who intended to motivate them to reach their potential. The student might perceive the harsh grading as a sign of being unintelligent, leading to a negative self-image and potentially affecting their effort in class.

How can future interactions change the student's incorrect self-perception?

Future interactions, such as a conversation with the teacher explaining the intention behind the harsh grading, can help the student revise their incorrect perceptions and develop a different self-perspective.

What is the critical aspect of Cooley's theory regarding the influence of others' opinions on our self-image?

The critical aspect is that we are not actually influenced by the opinions of others themselves, but rather by what we imagine those opinions to be, which can lead to the formation of self-identity based on both accurate and inaccurate perceptions.

How can the socialization process impact our attitudes and behaviors?

The socialization process can shape our attitudes and behaviors by influencing our self-image and how we perceive ourselves in relation to the expectations of our culture and community.

What role do public figures and media play in the socialization process?

Public figures and media, such as celebrities seen on TV and in movies, play a role in socialization by providing models of behavior and attitudes that individuals may observe and emulate, thus influencing their social norms and values.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 Understanding Socialization and Self-Image

The concept of socialization is explained as the process by which individuals learn societal norms and behaviors from their culture and community. This learning typically occurs through observation and interaction with people in our environment, such as family, friends, teachers, and even celebrities or strangers. A key aspect of socialization is its impact on our self-image, which refers to how we perceive ourselves. The sociologist Charles Cooley introduced the concept of the 'looking glass self,' suggesting that our self-image is shaped not only by our personal reflections but also by our perceptions of how others see us. Cooley proposed a three-step process: imagining how we appear to others, interpreting their evaluations of us, and developing our self-perception based on these imagined evaluations. Interestingly, Cooley emphasized that it is not the actual opinions of others that influence us but our imagined interpretations of those opinions. An illustrative example is given: a student misinterprets a teacher's harsh grading as a sign of incompetence, not realizing the teacher's intent was to challenge the student's potential. This misinterpretation might lead the student to underperform. However, a subsequent conversation with the teacher reveals the truth, allowing the student to adjust their self-perception and efforts accordingly.

Keywords

💡Socialization

Socialization is the process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors that are considered appropriate within a specific culture or community. It is a fundamental aspect of human development that shapes how we interact with others and understand our place in society. In the video, socialization is depicted as occurring through observation and interaction with various people in our lives, from family and friends to strangers we encounter in daily activities, all contributing to our understanding of social expectations.

💡Attitudes

Attitudes refer to the settled ways of thinking and feeling about something, which are learned through socialization. They influence our behavior and judgments. In the script, attitudes are mentioned as part of what is learned during the socialization process, indicating how our cultural and community environment shapes our perspectives and reactions to different situations.

💡Values

Values are the beliefs and ideals that guide an individual's actions and judgments. They are deeply held principles that help to determine what is important in life. The video script discusses values as one of the elements absorbed during socialization, highlighting their role in defining appropriate and expected behaviors within a culture.

💡Behaviors

Behaviors are the actions and reactions of individuals in various situations. They are the observable manifestations of learned social norms. The script emphasizes that behaviors are shaped by socialization, showing how we act in accordance with the expectations of our culture and community.

💡Looking Glass Self

The 'Looking Glass Self' is a concept introduced by sociologist Charles Cooley, which describes how individuals develop their self-image based on their perceptions of how others perceive them. The video uses this concept to explain the process of self-image formation, emphasizing that our self-concept is not just a reflection of our own qualities but also heavily influenced by imagined judgments of others.

💡Self-Image

Self-image refers to the mental representation an individual has of their own personality, appearance, and other attributes. It is a crucial component of self-concept and identity. The video script illustrates how self-image is shaped by socialization and the 'Looking Glass Self' process, where individuals form their self-view based on imagined evaluations from others.

💡Perceptions

Perceptions are the processes by which individuals organize and interpret sensory information to give meaning to their environment. In the context of the video, perceptions are central to the 'Looking Glass Self' theory, where individuals imagine how they are perceived by others and develop their self-image accordingly.

💡Evaluations

Evaluations are judgments or assessments made by individuals about others based on their observations. The video script discusses evaluations as the second step in the 'Looking Glass Self' process, where individuals imagine how others judge them, which subsequently influences their self-image.

💡Identity

Identity refers to the condition of being established or recognized as a specific entity or individual. It encompasses various aspects such as nationality, religion, and personal characteristics. The script uses the term to describe how individuals may develop their self-identities based on both correct and incorrect perceptions of how they are seen by others.

💡Interactions

Interactions are the mutual or reciprocal actions or influences between individuals. The video script highlights the importance of interactions in the socialization process and in correcting misperceptions, as seen in the example where a student's interaction with a teacher leads to a revised self-perspective.

💡Misperceptions

Misperceptions are incorrect or distorted interpretations of reality. The video script discusses how misperceptions can influence self-image negatively, as in the case of the student who misinterprets the teacher's harsh grading as a sign of lack of intelligence, leading to a diminished self-image.

Highlights

Socialization is the process by which individuals learn cultural norms and behaviors through observation and interaction.

Socialization occurs with close ones like family, friends, and teachers, as well as with everyone encountered daily.

Sociologist Charles Cooley introduced the concept of 'looking glass self' to explain how self-image is shaped.

The 'looking glass self' involves imagining how we appear to others, their evaluation of us, and our feelings about ourselves based on their perceived evaluations.

Cooleys' theory suggests we are influenced by our imagined perceptions of others' opinions, not the actual opinions themselves.

Incorrect perceptions of others' views can lead to the development of inaccurate self-identities.

An example is a student misinterpreting a teacher's harsh grading as a sign of low intelligence.

Misinterpretations can affect behavior, such as a student putting less effort into class.

Future interactions can correct misperceptions and lead to a revised self-perspective.

The teacher's explanation after class can help the student understand the grading was meant to encourage effort, not criticize intelligence.

Socialization is a continuous process that can be influenced by ongoing interactions and feedback.

The importance of clear communication in educational settings to prevent incorrect self-perception development.

The role of media and public figures in shaping social norms and individual behaviors.

The impact of everyday encounters, such as people in a supermarket line, on our social learning.

The potential for self-fulfilling prophecies arising from incorrect self-perceptions based on imagined evaluations.

The ability of individuals to revise their self-concept through increased self-awareness and understanding of social influences.

The significance of understanding the 'looking glass self' in personal development and social psychology.

The potential for socialization to both positively and negatively affect an individual's self-esteem and motivation.

Transcripts

- [Voiceover] Socialization describes the process

by which people learn the attitudes, values, and behaviors

that are appropriate and expected

by their culture and community.

And it typically occurs through the observation of

and interaction with the people we are surrounded by.

And this can include those who are close to us,

like our family, friends, and teachers,

but it can also include everyone else

that we come across in our daily lives.

Our doctors, nurses, celebrities that we see

on TV and in the movies, even the people

standing in line next to us at the supermarket.

They all have something to teach us about

how we should act within our community.

But socialization also shapes our self image,

or how we view ourselves.

And sociologist, Charles Cooley used the term

looking glass self in order to describe this process.

And he theorized that our view of ourselves

comes not only from our direct contemplation

of our personal qualities,

but also from our perceptions about how

we are being perceived by others.

And Cooley thought this happened through three steps.

First, we imagine how we must appear to others,

to our families or friends or just people on the street.

Second, we imagine how they must evaluate us,

based on their observations of us.

So do we come across as intelligent, or funny,

or shy, or maybe just awkward?

And third, we develop feelings about ourselves

based on our impressions of their evaluations

and their observations.

And one critical aspect of this theory

that I want to point out,

is that Cooley believed that we are not actually

being influenced by the opinions of others,

but instead we are being influenced by what

we imagine the opinions of other people to be.

So according to this theory,

we might develop our self identities based on both

correct and incorrect perceptions of how others see us.

So let's say that we have this teacher

and they're grading a paper very harshly.

They're grading it very critically.

And they're doing this because they think that

the student who wrote this paper

actually had a lot of potential.

And so they're grading that student's paper harshly

in order to help them reach it.

So let's say our student gets their paper back

and notices that it's full of red ink marks

and corrections from the teacher.

How might that student interpret this?

And how might that influence their self image?

First they might observe that the teacher

criticized them harshly on this paper.

Second, they think that teacher probably did so,

because they see the student as not being very intelligent.

And then finally, our student comes to the conclusion

that, based on this, they're probably

not very good at literary analysis.

So here the student is acting on an incorrect perception

of what they think the teacher believes.

And because our attitudes can often influence our behaviors,

this might result in the student putting less effort

into the class, instead of more effort

like the teacher originally wanted.

But this doesn't have to be the end of our story.

Because it can also be influenced by future interactions.

So let's say that this student talks to the teacher

after class about why they graded so harshly.

At that point the teacher might explain that

they think the student is on the right track,

but that they need to put in a little more effort.

And so because of this additional interaction,

the student was able to revise his or her

incorrect perceptions and this could lead the student

to developing a different self perspective.