How Does the Looking Glass Self Work

The looking-glass self describes the process wherein individuals base their sense of self on how they believe others view them. Using social interaction as a type of “mirror,” people use the judgments they receive from others to measure their own worth, values, and behavior.

What are some examples of the looking-glass self?

• We imagine how others see us. For example, Mary wears what she considers her lucky outfit so that nothing bad can happen to her. …
• We imagine the judgments others make about us. …
• We create our self-image according to the comments of others.

Is the looking-glass self a reflection of objective reality?

In this view, one’s self-development does not necessarily depend upon objective social realities; rather, it comes about because one perceives or conceives of others’ responses in certain ways. … attributed to that other mind. A social self of this sort might be called the reflected or looking-glass self.”