Cooley (Charles Horton Cooley)

Charles Horton Cooley was a sociologist known for his idea of the "looking-glass self," which suggests that individuals develop their sense of self through social interactions. Essentially, we see ourselves based on how we believe others perceive us, shaping our self-image over time. Cooley emphasized the importance of face-to-face communication and the social environment in forming our identity. His work highlights that our self-concept is a reflection influenced by our relationships and how we interpret others’ reactions, making social experience central to understanding who we are.