Self-Monitoring of Expressive Behavior

What it measures

Eighteen True/False items measure the extent to which a person observes and controls their expressive behavior to manage a desired social appearance. The scale is a psychometrically refined version of the original 25-item instrument, with improved internal consistency and factorial purity. High scorers are characterised by sensitivity to situational cues, social chameleon-like behavior, and the use of social comparison information to guide self-presentation.

Response format

True/False

Scale items

• I find it hard to imitate the behavior of other people. (F)
• At parties and social gatherings, I do not attempt to do or say things that others will like. (F)
• I can only argue for ideas which I already believe. (F)
• I can make impromptu speeches even on topics about which I have almost no information. (T)
• I guess I could put on a show to impress or entertain others. (T)
• I would probably make a good actor. (T)
• In a group of people I am rarely the center of attention. (F)
• In different situations with different people, I often act like very different persons. (T)
• I am not particularly good at making other people like me. (F)
• I'm not always the person I appear to be. (T)
• I would not change my opinions (or the way I do things) in order to please someone or win their favor. (F)
• I have considered being an entertainer. (T)
• I have never been good at games like charades or improvisational acting. (F)
• I have trouble changing my behavior to suit different people and different situations. (F)
• At a party I let others keep the jokes and stories going. (F)
• I feel a bit awkward in public and do not show up quite as well as I should. (F)
• I can look anyone in the eye and tell a lie with a straight face (if for a right end). (T)
• I may deceive people by being friendly when I really dislike them. (T)

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Alphas of .82 (Study 1) and .80 (Study 2) were reported by Aaker (1999). The True/False key indicates expected responses for high self-monitors: T = expected True response, F = expected False response. The 18-item version is more factorially pure than the original 25-item version but its unidimensionality has been debated. A 25-item version is also in use in some marketing studies.

Citation

Snyder, M., & Gangestad, S. (1986). On the nature of self-monitoring: Matters of assessment, matters of validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(1), 125–139.

Keywords