On the nature of self-monitoring: Matters of assessment, matters of validity.

Abstract

An extensive network of empirical relations has been identified in research on the psychological construct of self-monitoring. Nevertheless, in recent years some concerns have been expressed about the instrument used for the assessment of self-monitoring propensities, the Self-Monitoring Scale. Both the extent to which the measure taps an interpretable and meaningful causal variable and the extent to which the self-monitoring construct provides an appropriate theoretical understanding of this causal variable have been questioned. An examination of reanalyses of studies of self-monitoring, analyses of the internal structure of the Self-Monitoring Scale, and further relevant data suggest that the measure does tap a meaningful and interpretable causal variable with pervasive influences on social behavior, a variable reflected as a general self-monitoring factor. We discuss the evaluation and furthering of the interpretation of this latent causal variable, offer criteria for evaluating alternative measures of self-monitoring, and present a new, 18-item Self-Monitoring Scale.According to theoretical analyses of self-monitoring, people differ in the extent to which they can and do observe and control their expressive behavior and self-presentation (e.g., Snyder, 1979). Individuals high in self-monitoring are thought to regulate their expressive self-presentation for the sake of desired public appearances, and thus be highly responsive to social and interpersonal cues of situationally appropriate performances.Individuals low in self-monitoring are thought to lack either the ability or the motivation to so regulate their expressive self-presentations. Their expressive behaviors, instead, are thought to functionally reflect their own enduring and momentary inner states, including their attitudes, traits, and feelings.A number of hypotheses-concerning, among others, the determinants of specificity and consistency in social behavior, the origins of linkages between attitudes and action, the dynamics of social interaction, and the nature and consequences of conceptions of self-have followed from these basic initial propositions. Research involving a measure of self-monitoring propensities (the Self-Monitoring Scale; for information on its reliability and validity, see Snyder, 1974) has provided empirical support for these and many more hypotheses about the cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal consequences of self-monitoring (e.g

Introducing the GASP scale: A new measure of guilt and shame proneness.

“…The following questionnaires were included in the survey: Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI; Davis, 1980); Conventional Morality scale (Tooke & Ickes, 1988); Big Five-44 inventory (John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991); Self-Importance of Moral Identity Scale (Aquino & Reed, 2002); New Indices of Religious Orientation inventory (NIRO; Francis, 2007); Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; Buss & Perry, 1992); Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (Rosenberg, 1965); SelfCompassion scale (Neff, 2003); Self-Monitoring scale (Snyder & Gangestad, 1986); Regulatory GASP 17…”

Personality characteristics that predict effective performance of sales people

“…They also go out of their way to learn about those with whom they might interact and the rules for appropriate interaction. These techniques allow self-monitors to provide appropriate information to which the listener will respond, thus encouraging a positive spiral in the conversation (Athay andDarley, 1981: Snyder andGangestad, 1986;Baron and Bourdreau, 1987). Two examples of the scale items are: (i) I find it easy to imitate the behaviours of others; and (ii) during a party, I feel that I should tell jokes to other people.…”

Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale

“…Specifically, a bilingual translator (Spanish-English) translated all items from the original 18-item Self-Monitoring scale to Spanish (Snyder & Gangestad, 1986). The translator was a person with knowledge of the SM literature and some experience related to the construction of personality questionnaires.…”

“…The present research focuses on the adaptation of the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale (Snyder & Gangestad, 1986) to the Spanish language. This scale is widely used in individual differences literature and has been the center of a large series of scientific publications (e.g., Chen, Shechter, & Chaiken, 1996;DeBono & Krim, 1997).…”