LOOKING-GLASS SELF IN-DEPTH

The looking-glass self is the idea that what we think about ourselves is based upon what others think of us. We imagine how we appear to others, we interpret others' reactions to our actions, and then we develop a self-concept, which defines our behavior. A simple example would be one's gender, I'll use female. For the most part, women imagine that other's see them as a woman. Some women might think other's see them as pretty, ugly, fat, funny, slutty, athletic, etc. If a woman joins the school wrestling team (something someone would classify as something a male would do) people are likely to react in a negative way, maybe by calling her a man and making other rude jokes. She will interpret these reactions and develop a self-concept. She might develop a self-concept that makes her think she is masculine. This would cause her to behave "manly" by possibly cutting her hair short or taking on a style considered "tomboy." On the other hand, she might develop a self-concept and think, "I don't want people to see me as a boy because I'm not." This could could cause her to behave more feminine: dressing in skirts, wearing makeup, etc. Whichever behavior the woman chooses, she will then imagine how people see her and the cycle continues. Sometimes there are outside forces, such as where the girl goes to school.

-Mallory