According to Cooley, how do we form our self-image?

The idea that we form our self-image through others' views of us is rooted in Charles Horton Cooley's concept of the "looking-glass self." Cooley posited that our self-concept is shaped by the perceptions we believe others have of us. This involves three key components: we imagine how we appear to others, we imagine their judgment of that appearance, and we develop our self-feeling based on that imagined judgment. Essentially, we see ourselves through the eyes of others, which significantly influences our identity and behavior.

In this context, the answer emphasizing the role of others' views highlights the social nature of self-concept formation and how interpersonal interactions play a critical role in shaping how we perceive ourselves. It reflects the sociological understanding that self-identity is not formed in isolation but is instead a product of social interactions and relationships.