Mirror theory in psychology postulates that, when we interact with others, we serve as mirrors to each other of aspects that belong to ourselves. In other words, much of what we perceive in our friends, family or any other person with whom we interact, reflects specific aspects of ourselves that, for the most part, remain silenced in our unconscious.
Becoming aware of them and working on the different aspects found will help us grow and develop in a healthier and more positive way. In this Psychology-Online article we will talk about what is mirror theory in psychologywhat are its four laws and how to apply this theory in our lives as a tool for personal improvement and growth.
What is the mirror theory?
The mirror theory explains that many of the Aspects that we observe in others are projections of our personality of which, in reality, we have not become aware. The wisdom of life makes use of our neighbors to show us what, without us knowing it, is hidden within us.
So what does the mirror theory tell us? It refers both to our own unrecognized negative aspects that are interfering in our lives, and to other personal positive aspects that, by not being aware of them, we are preventing their development.
With this, the mirror theory in psychology tries to show us that, rather than judging others for the defects we see in them or longing for those other aspects that draw the attention of other people, we must carry out an introspection process. We must become aware of how all the elements we see in others constitute, in reality, a mirror of the light and shadow that lives within us.
What the mirror theory tells us
In the theory of the social mirror, four laws are exposed that explain the functioning of the behavior of others as a mirror of our own personality. We see them below:
- Any aspect of others that bothers you is actually an element of your own personality that bothers you, but of which you are not aware.
- Any aspect that others may criticize or judge about you implies some personal aspect of yours that you yourself dislike. Discover .
- On other occasions, the aspects that other people criticize about you can constitute factors of the personality of the person who judges you and who, unconsciously, is projecting onto you.
- Any element that you like about other people may actually be an aspect that belongs to you, but that you are not yet aware of. This article can help you in your introspection process.
How to apply the law of the mirror in my life
The law of the mirror in psychology can be applied in many ways, as it represents a tool to polish the aspects of each person’s personality that interfere with personal, social, family development, etc. The main purpose is to enhance those aspects that reflect inner potential and whose development favors our personal growth and benefits our neighbors.
Do you want to know how to apply mirror theory in your life? Below, we give you some recommendations on how to do it:
- Do self-reflection: When something bothers you, analyze if said aspect reflects something internal of your own. For example, if you are bothered by someone who is very verbally aggressive, or who looks at you badly, or speaks in monologues, etc. If any of these aspects irritate you, you should analyze to what extent you act that way in certain situations or with certain people. Over time, this analysis will allow you to learn from these experiences. In this article, we show you.
- Become aware: after the analysis, you must become aware of your actions. For example, it’s not that the other’s arrogance bothers you, but, in reality, it is an aspect of your personality that you deep down dislike.
- Identify what I want to change: Analyze how the aspects you don’t like about yourself harm your well-being and relationships with our neighbors. This will allow you to gain the strength necessary to eliminate said behavior.
After carrying out the personal analysis, if you conclude that there are aspects that do not belong to you, you must let the criticism of others pass, understanding that it is a projection of him on you. On the other hand, if you feel admiration for certain aspects of people around you, it is advisable to analyze whether you can also enhance that quality. If so, according to the mirror theory, you must work to develop it.
The benefits of adopting the look suggested by the mirror theory in psychology are innumerable to eradicate the negative aspects that interfere with your personal and social development. Precisely, it is important to enhance those aspects that allow us to offer positive things to the world.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is mirror theory in psychologywe recommend that you enter our category.
Bibliography
- García, E. (2008). Neuropsychology and education. From mirror neurons to the theory of mind. Journal of psychology and education, 1(3), 69-90.