What is the role of self in the socialization process? < < read less?

A number of theories exist to explain how people become socialized and develop a sense of self. The looking-glass self refers to the interactive process by which we develop an image based on how we imagine we appear to others. Other people act as a mirror, reflecting back the image we project through their reactions to our behavior. According to Mead, seeing ourselves as others see us is only the beginning. Eventually we not only see ourselves as others see us, but actually take on or pretend to take the roles of others. This act of role-taking forms the basis of the socialization process by allowing us to anticipate what others expect of us.