<P> The genders of those who participated in the study were recorded by the unobtrusive observer from behind the festive backdrop . Out of the 363 children, only 326 children's genders could be determined because they were wearing Halloween costumes . Of those children whose genders could be determined there were 190 boys and 136 girls . While Cooley suggests that girls have a far higher impressionable social sensibility it was not the case in this study, as boys transgressed more often than girls . Fewer boys transgressed with the mirror present, than without; 15.6% to 35.8% . This trend was the same for girls; 8.4% to 13.2% . </P> <P> While the exact age of each child could not be determined due to the children's anonymity, approximate ages were given to each child by the unobtrusive observer . The average age of the children was eight years old . The results of the study were split up into different categories based on the approximate age given to each child . The age groups were as follows: ages 1--4, 5--8, 9--12 and 13 or older . The rate of transgression rose with the age of the child; the 1--4 year olds had a rate of transgression of only 6.5% while the 5--8 year olds transgressed 9.7% of the time . The two older age groups transgressed far more often than the younger groups; children aged 9--12 transgressed 23.6% of the time while the children aged 13 and older had a rate of transgression of 41.9% . </P> <P> The research article was included in the Journal of Family Psychology in 1998 . The researchers, Cook and Douglas, measured the validity of the looking glass self and symbolic interaction in the context of familial relationships . The study analyzed the accuracy of a college student's and an adolescent's perceptions of how they are perceived by their parents . The 51 participants of this study included four family members (mother, father, college student and adolescent) who returned surveys . The families were primarily white and middle class . The college student and adolescent were paid ten dollars each, if each family member completed the survey . </P> <P> Three areas were investigated: assertiveness, firmness, and cooperation . In reference to the three areas respondents were asked the following: how they behave toward the target, how the target behaves toward them, and how they think they are viewed by the target . The study identified the looking glass self as a "metaperception" because it involves "perception of perceptions ." One of the hypotheses tested in the study was: If "metaperceptions" cause self - perceptions they will necessarily be coordinated . The hypothesis was tested at the individual and relationship levels of analysis </P>

How would the concept of the looking-glass self be used to explain identity in childhood