Which sociologist developed the 'looking-glass self' concept?

• A. Karl Marx
• B. Charles Cooley
• C. Max Weber
• D. Emile Durkheim

Answer: (B)

The looking-glass self shows how our sense of who we are is built through social interaction. We imagine how we look to others, interpret their reactions to us, and then feel pride, shame, or other emotions based on that perceived image. In this way, the self is formed as a reflection of how we think others view us, rather than something we determine in isolation.

This idea was developed by Charles Cooley. He emphasized that our self-concept emerges from the social feedback we receive—the “mirror” we hold up to ourselves is the imagined judgment of other people. Understanding this helps explain why our identities can change across different social contexts and how communication shapes who we become.

Among the names listed, Charles Cooley is the one associated with this concept. Karl Marx concentrated on class and economic forces; Max Weber on rationalization and authority; Emile Durkheim on social facts and collective norms. So the looking-glass self is linked to Cooley.