Charles Cooley
Charles Cooley captured my interest when selecting a sociologist to research. After doing some research, I became intrigued with Cooley’s theory of the Looking Glass Self, and how it effects our society. I understand his meaning behind his theory. He claims that in his childhood, he formed his identity through how he viewed himself through his father’s mind, as well as others. I believe his theory is very interesting, because I experience it myself at times.
Charles the Person In 1864, Charles Horton Cooley was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This same here Charles’ father, Thomas Cooley, was elected to the Supreme Court of Michigan. Thomas was very successful and became well-known nationally. Thomas was a hard-driving and success oriented person (Bolender 1998). Charles struggled living in the shadow of his famous father (Bolender 1998). Thomas alienated Charles throughout his childhood. This took a toll on Charles for a long period of time. Charles seemed to keep to himself. He became shy and developed a speech impediment (Bolender 1998). He did not have many friends to play with. Even at age 15, he seemed to just read and keep to himself. Charles thought that his father viewed him negatively. Charles Cooley later attended college at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Charles graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering after seven years of school. Many say he suffered from a psychosomatic illness during school, and this caused him to stay there longer (American Sociological Association n.d.) Though he had graduated with a great degree, Charles did not particularly like engineering (Bolender 1998). He loved his few courses in economics, philosophy, and history. After college, he continued to read a lot. This drove him to another life career. In 1890, Charles went back to the University of Michigan. He did graduate work in political economy and sociology. He wrote a dissertation called “The Theory of Transportation,” a
Charles the Person In 1864, Charles Horton Cooley was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This same here Charles’ father, Thomas Cooley, was elected to the Supreme Court of Michigan. Thomas was very successful and became well-known nationally. Thomas was a hard-driving and success oriented person (Bolender 1998). Charles struggled living in the shadow of his famous father (Bolender 1998). Thomas alienated Charles throughout his childhood. This took a toll on Charles for a long period of time. Charles seemed to keep to himself. He became shy and developed a speech impediment (Bolender 1998). He did not have many friends to play with. Even at age 15, he seemed to just read and keep to himself. Charles thought that his father viewed him negatively. Charles Cooley later attended college at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Charles graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering after seven years of school. Many say he suffered from a psychosomatic illness during school, and this caused him to stay there longer (American Sociological Association n.d.) Though he had graduated with a great degree, Charles did not particularly like engineering (Bolender 1998). He loved his few courses in economics, philosophy, and history. After college, he continued to read a lot. This drove him to another life career. In 1890, Charles went back to the University of Michigan. He did graduate work in political economy and sociology. He wrote a dissertation called “The Theory of Transportation,” a
Cited: 1.) Bolender, Keith. 1998. “Charles Horton Cooley.WEBSITE accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.bolenderinitiatives.com/sociology/charles-horton-cooley-1864-1929 2.) Cooley, Charles. 1902. Human Nature and the Social Order. New York: Scribner 3.) Ameican Sociological Association n.d. Charles Horton Cooley. WEBSITE accessed March 20, 2012. http://www.asanet.org/about/presidents/Charles_Cooley.cfm 4.) Smith, Cyril. 2005. “Marx Myths and Legends”. Karl Marx and Religion. WEBSITE accessed March 21, 2012. http://marxmyths.org/cyril-smith/article2.htm 5.) SparkNotes Editors. 2006. SparkNote on Social Institutions. WEBSITE accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/sociology/social-institutions/