Charles Horton Cooley, Life and Quotes

A collection of quotes by Charles Horton Cooley, Life and .

Charles Horton Cooley was an American sociologist born on August 17, 1864, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is best known for his pioneering work in symbolic interactionism, a major sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of social interactions and the construction of meaning in society. Cooley’s ideas played a significant role in the development of the field of sociology.

Cooley earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan in 1887 and continued his studies at the University of Michigan Law School. However, he soon developed an interest in sociology and shifted his focus, eventually earning his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan in 1894.

Throughout his career, Cooley made significant contributions to sociological theory. He was particularly concerned with the concept of the "looking-glass self," which states that our self-perception is shaped by the way we believe others perceive us. According to Cooley, individuals create and develop their identities through interactions with others, using the imagined perceptions of others as a reflection of themselves.

Cooley worked as a professor of sociology at the University of Michigan from 1892 until his retirement in 1929. He published several influential works, including "Human Nature and the Social Order" (1902), "Social Organization: A Study of the Larger Mind" (1909), and "Social Process" (1918). Cooley's ideas continue to be influential in the field of sociology, and his work remains a cornerstone in the study of human interaction and social psychology.

Charles Horton Cooley passed away on May 7, 1929, leaving a lasting legacy in the field of sociology.