Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929) was an American sociologist.

He received a BA (1887) and a PhD (1894) in economics from the University of Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan starting in 1892.

In respect of how other people are the most influential in respect of building, changing or maintaining the self image, Cooley used the term the "looking glass self" to convey the idea that the self concept reflects the evaluations of other people. In other words, we see ourselves as others see us.

Works

• Human Nature and Social (1902)
• Social Organizational (1909)
• Social Process (1918)