Annotated Links
Overview A brief overview of the concept of self-monitoring and how high and low self-monitors may differ in their everyday lives.
Assignments, Exercises, and Activities
Self-monitoring and Dating Jonathan Mueller put together this lab exercise based on the Snyder and Simpson(1984) study of self-monitoring and dating. Based on Simpson, J. (1988). Self-monitoring and commitment to dating relationships: A classroom demonstration. Teaching of Psychology, 15, 31-33.
Current Researchers and Research Teams
Electronic Texts
Examples and Illustrations
Lecture Notes
Slide Presentations
Tests, Measures, and Scales
Self-Monitoring Scale from Snyder, M. (1974). Self Monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30, 526-537. This scale measures the extent to which people regulate their expressiveness to fit the cues of the situation.
The Snyder (1974) Self-Monitoring Scale Mark A. Whatley, Valdosta State University, has posted selected personality tests for his Self and Identiy class. About the Self-Monitoring Scale he says: Developed by Mark Synder (1974), the Self-Monitoring (SM) Scale measures the extent to which you consciously employ impression management strategies in social interactions. Basically, the scale assesses the degree to which you manipulate the nonverbal signals that you send to others and the degree to which you adjust your behavior to situational demands. Some people work harder at managing their public images than do others. Scale and scoring instructions available here.
Audio and Video
The Life Monitored: Explorations in Self-Monitoring Concepts. Students Julie Kozikowski, Ellen Gauvin, Kendra Smith, Wendy Mustapha and Danielle Palardy made this short film for a psychology class and posted it to You Tube. Illustrates the differences between high and low self-monitors. (7 minutes, 29 seconds).
What's the Best Personality to Be a Waiter? What kind of personality do you need to be a good waiter/waitress? Michael Brit, former professor of psychology, broadcasts a podcast about psychology called The Psych Files. In this episode (Episode 82) he explores the answer as he discusses the Self-Monitoring personality. His webpage includes good background references, examples of validity and reliability, and links to additional web resources. (originally released December 28, 2008).