Reconstructing the “Looking-Glass Self” in the Algorithmic Era: A Social Psychological Perspective

Abstract

In the era of social media and artificial intelligence, human self-identity and emotional cognition are increasingly influenced by algorithmic mechanisms. This study re-examines Cooley's "looking glass self theory" from the perspective of social psychology, exploring how the interaction between digital platforms and artificial intelligence reconstructs the relationship between the self and "the other". The research takes the "Subject Three" dance challenge on Douyin and the artificial intelligence interaction based on ChatGPT as cases, and adopts the research method of theoretical literature analysis and case observation. Research has found that algorithmic feedback and data quantification have replaced traditional social evaluation, forming a new "mirror field" where self-awareness is mediated by digital visibility and emotional algorithms. These processes generate both short-term satisfaction and long-term anxiety, reshaping users' emotional regulation and identity stability. Furthermore, the research also found that the emergence of "AI empathy", that is, human-computer interaction can simulate emotional reciprocity and cultivate new forms of attachment. However, this study is limited by its qualitative scope and focus on the context of Chinese social media, indicating that future cross-cultural and empirical research on algorithmic self and emotional adaptation is needed.