The concept of the looking-glass self was coined by Charles Horton Cooley in the eighteen hundreds. Cooley concluded that a “…person's self develops from interaction with other” (Henslin 62). Cooley simply summarized this idea with a couplet: “Each to each a looking-glass/Reflects the other that doth pass” (Trenholm & Jensen 189). Furthermore, Cooley explained that the looking-glass self theory contains three important elements. We imagine how we appear to those around us. We imagine how others judge us. We experience a feeling or some type of reaction. From these three elements we develop a self-concept.

The Rookie, a Disney film based on a real life story

Jim, who is around his high school baseball team, performs with the kids as a wonderful pitcher. His players see him pitch on a daily basis and they believe he is excellent pitcher and still has a shot to play in the majors. Jim begins to interpret the kids’ reaction to his pitching. This reaction leads Jim to feel that he has a chance to make a major league team and from this feeling Jim forms a new self image. In the self image that Jim develops, he is a tremendous pitcher and he begins to believe that he can play baseball at the professional level. Once he forms this self-concept, he makes the bet with his players, knowing that they are good enough to win the district championship, and that he would have to try out for a professional team.

Of course, the movie can not end on a down note and Jim has to succeed as a baseball player. However, his self-concept is telling him that he is not good enough and that he should quit playing baseball. Again Jim’s self-concept is changed because of the looking-glass self theory. This occurs when Jim calls his wife to tell her that he is not succeeding as a pitcher and that he is going to quit and come home to be with her and the kids. His wife tells him that he is insane and that he should continue to play because he is a great pitcher. This is later reinforced by his coach who tells him that he is one of the best players in the league. After the two conversations with his wife and coach Jim again begins to develop a new self image. He again begins to believe that others are supporting him and once again he sees himself as a professional baseball pitcher.

At this point in the movie the concept of the looking glass-self can be seen working not only on Jim, but also on the team that h

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