This week was primarily focused on the dynamic between the self and the other. Most famous for this is Hegel, who coined his theory of us identifying ourselves, by comparing us to the people around us. A sociologist named Charles H. Cooley further explored this, and developed his theory of the “looking-glass” the idea of developing oneself through the analysis of the differences we have with the people around us.
Now, I’ll be honest, I didn’t really understand what this theory was entirely when I first heard about it in class. However, I did watch a great video and I will try and synthesize it.
1. Think about a teacher and a student
2. The student receives a bad mark on his latest assignment
3. The reason for this was that the teacher wanted to incentivize the student to try harder, as the teacher thought the student had great potential, but wasn’t applying himself. So the teacher graded him more harshly
4. The student, having received the harsh grade, might became disinterested in the class, thinking he wasn’t as smart as his classmates. This could also cause him to think
a. The teacher thinks he isn’t intelligent
b. He isn’t good at the subject that the assignment pertained to
5. The plan has thus backfired as the student has misread what the teacher wanted to convey
I am sure we can all draw parallels to society in the States. Prejudices arise from a misunderstanding (sometimes arrogance) of different parties. Essentially, the potential problems with the looking glass self is the lack of communication between multiple parties. These misunderstandings only further reinforce existing animosities between groups.
But Cooley offers more. What if the teacher and the student are able to communicate? What if the teacher explains why they acted in this way and thus allowing the student to understand why he was graded more harshly than others. This could spark a change in the student to put more effort in because of the expectation of fulfilling his potential.
How can this last step be brought into US communities to help alleviate tensions between them? It is extremely difficult, as it is impossible for everyone to be all-knowing and foresee a lack of communication between two groups. If this was possible, some of the problems that arise from the looking glass self wouldn’t exist. However, there is potential in creating discussion and dialogue for groups to connect.
The hardest part of the looking glass self is that it creates an environment where the minority, or common victim of racism/prejudice, takes on the responsibility of monitoring their looking glass. As in à an African-American knowing that some ignorant white person may grow weary of their proximity, or cross the street as they grow nearer. This hurts the targeted minority, as they feel helpless in being able to alleviate this expectation that is placed on them. Rather, it should be on the majority community to acknowledge such an prejudgment and work on alleviating it.
Cool example. Rly makes things clear. It’s funny, tho – when I read it I started to think about how it also shows the potentially inappropriateness of preferential treatment like that, in an institutional setting, even when it’s coming from a good place. Like, perhaps the teacher does believe the student could do better (perhaps even did better than most) so lowballed them to incentivize them….well..they still might ultimately suffer since, in academia, it is usually the mark that is most important/focal
I really liked the idea of the looking glass self. It’s a theory we touched on in high school English of all places, however we looked at it from a different angle. It’s nice to see it from this light, through the lens of US communites and racial issues. I liked the example with the teacher-student and thought there was demonstration of clear and concise reasoning. I also like how you admit to not understanding the content of class, but then through research learn how it works.