Which of the following best describes Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self?

• A. It refers to the process of self-reflection through introspection without considering social feedback.
• B. It is the belief that self-concept is determined solely by personal achievements and failures.
• C. It is the idea that individuals form their self-concept based on how they believe others perceive them.
• D. It is the theory that personality is shaped by unconscious motives and childhood experiences.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self is a sociological theory about how individuals develop their self-concept.
2. Recognize that this concept emphasizes the role of social interaction and perception in shaping one's identity.
3. Note that the looking-glass self involves imagining how we appear to others, imagining their judgment of that appearance, and developing feelings about ourselves based on those perceived judgments.
4. Compare the given options to see which one aligns with this process of forming self-concept through perceived social feedback.
5. Identify that the correct description is the idea that individuals form their self-concept based on how they believe others perceive them, reflecting the core of Cooley's looking-glass self.