Which statement best describes the looking-glass self?

• A. Our self-image is shaped by how we think others judge us
• B. Our self-image is fixed at birth
• C. Our self-image comes from economic status
• D. Our self-image is determined by genetics

Answer: (A)

The looking-glass self is built on the idea that our sense of self emerges from how we imagine others perceive us. We form an image of ourselves by considering how we think others view our appearance, actions, and worth, and we experience emotions—pride, shame, or embarrassment—based on that imagined judgment. This process relies on social interaction and feedback rather than biology, birth, or fixed traits like economic status or genetics. So the description that our self-image is shaped by how we think others judge us best captures the core idea: our self-concept develops through the social reflections we imagine from others.