According to charles horton cooley, we develop a self-concept by: interpreting how others think about us. learning self-discipline. interpreting our feelings about ourselves. inheriting genetic characteristics from our parents.

According to Charles Horton Cooley, we develop a self-concept by: interpreting how others think about us.

Developing our self-concept by interpreting how others think about us is also known as Cooley's theory of the "looking glass-self". According to Cooley, we form an idea and view of ourselves based on how we believe others perceive us. For instance, if you believe that your teacher perceives you as a competent and hardworking student, you will believe that you are in fact a competent and hardworking student.