Appraisals of Musical Ability in Bar Bands: Identifying the Weak Link in the Looking-Glass Self Chain

Abstract

This study examined the looking-glass self process among 171 bar band musicians. The primary goal was to more precisely locate the weakest path in the model. Five variables were measured: the actual appraisals of significant others, feedback given by significant others, feedback received by individuals, reflected appraisals, and self-appraisals. The weakest path was between feedback given and feedback received, indicating the importance of how feedback is interpreted or processed. There was also evidence for Goffman's (1959) distinction between expressions given and expressions given off. Individuals also had only a general sense of how they were perceived by others and displayed little dyadic accuracy. The low dyadic accuracy did not stem from uniformity in the actual appraisals of others, from uniformity in the feedback given by others, and probably not from limited cognitive abilities. The low dyadic accuracy was most likely the result of differing interpretations of feedback.