Revised Self-Monitoring Scale
SMS-RSelf-monitoring restricted to two components: the ability to modify self-presentation across situations and sensitivity to the expressive behaviour of others. This narrower definition focuses on the core competencies of the high self-monitor — behavioural flexibility and interpersonal attunement — rather than the broader five-factor conceptualisation of Snyder (1974).
13 items
1984
α 0.70–0.77
Free
Lennox, R.D. & Wolfe, R.N.
What it measures
A psychometrically refined revision of Snyder's (1974) Self-Monitoring Scale, narrowing the construct to its two most behaviourally meaningful components. Total scale alpha 0.75; Ability to Modify Self-Presentation alpha 0.77; Sensitivity to Expressive Behaviour alpha 0.70. Correlates with individuation (r=0.30) and private self-consciousness (r=0.17). The Ability subscale captures behavioural flexibility — the capacity to adapt one's self-presentation to situational demands. The Sensitivity subscale captures emotional and interpersonal attunement — reading others' facial expressions, emotions, and deception cues. Both subscales can be scored separately or combined. Preferred over the original Snyder scale for most consumer research contexts due to its continuous response format and cleaner factor structure.
Representative items
- In social situations, I have the ability to alter my behavior if I feel that something else is called for. (Ability)
- I have the ability to control the way I come across to people, depending on the impression I wish to give them. (Ability)
- I am often able to read people's true emotions correctly through their eyes. (Sensitivity)
- In conversations, I am sensitive to even the slightest change in the facial expression of the person I'm conversing with. (Sensitivity)
- If someone is lying to me, I usually know it at once from that person's manner of expression. (Sensitivity)
Citation
Lennox, R.D., & Wolfe, R.N. (1984). Revision of the self-monitoring scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(6), 1349–1364.