Hello,
Since this is the first time I write in this forum, I'll say that I'm David from Spain. I am not a linguist, but I like languages.
About your question, well, I don't know if I understand it well. To me, '
se ven así' could be understood in two ways:
1) Meaning 'they see themselves from this (this = a given) point of view' or 'they have this (this = a given) opinion about themselves'. As examples, the following conversation (sorry for my bad English):
PERSON 1 - Mis padres siempre me dicen lo que tengo que hacer, como si yo no pudiese llevar mi propia vida; se creen mis dueños. (
= My parents are always telling me what to do, it seems that I could n't live my own life. They think they are my masters).
PERSON 2 - Bueno, seguramente ellos
se ven así, como los encargados de protegerte y guiarte. (
= Well, surely they think of themselves as responsible to lead and protect you).
2) A similar meaning, but the subject of the sentence speaking of other people, not themselves as above.
PERSON 1 - Ya sabes, la gente de Galicia no acostumbra a ser optimista.
(= You know, Galicians don't use to be a very optimistic people).
PERSON 2 - A mí no me parece eso. Aunque los gallegos
se ven así, yo he vivido allí y no me ha dado esa impresión.
( = I don't think so. Although that is the general opinion about them, after being living there I have not that impression).
I hope this can help you to some extent.
Regards,
David