Question

Martin is new to college. He wears his best polo and pair of jeans to class. When he gets to his sociology class his sits down next to a group of people who are chatting with each other. When he sits down the group stops talking suddenly. Martin then notices that there is a large and noticeable stain on his shirt. He thinks about how ridiculous he must look and that the group next to him must think him to be such a slob. He feels terribly embarrassed for the rest of class. What sociological concept does this example best illustrate?

Answer 1

Answer:

The looking-glass self.

Explanation:

The looking-glass self is a sociological theory created by American sociologist Charles Cooley. This theory refers to a process where individuals base their self-image or self-worth on how they believe they are perceived by others. Cooley mentions there are three steps in this process: how we believe we appear to other people; how we believe they judge us, and how we act or change depending on how we judge others. In this example, Martin has formed an idea of how he thinks others see him and judge him - ridiculous and as a slob because of the stain on his shirt. This leads to him feeling embarrassed.