What does the term "looking-glass self" refer to in social psychology?

The term "looking-glass self" in social psychology refers to the way individuals perceive themselves based on how they believe others view them. This concept, introduced by sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, posits that self-identity is shaped by social interaction and the reflections of others. It involves three main components: imagining how we appear to others, imagining the judgments those others make about us, and developing feelings about ourselves as a result of those perceived judgments.

This social process emphasizes the importance of social feedback in forming our self-concept. Thus, the correct choice reflects the essence of this theory by highlighting that our self-image is largely influenced by how we think we are perceived by people around us.