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When you walk into class or a party, how much do you think about the impressions you are making on others? Do you wonder how others perceive your actions and appearance? If you do this a lot, then you are probably high in self-monitoring. Self-monitoring is the extent to which people chronically think about how they appear to others and, as a consequence, change their appearance and behavior to fit the circumstances (Abell & Brewer, 2014; Choi, Moon, & Chun, 2015; Gangestad & Snyder, 2000). People who are low in self-monitoring tend to be less concerned about others’ perceptions of them and usually act in similar ways across situations (Kurt, Inman, & Argo, 2011). For instance, do you know someone who behaves in pretty much the same way no matter what setting she is in—perhaps is loud, profane, unkempt, and dressed in a baseball cap, T-shirt, and jeans regardless of the situation? She would be a low self-monitor. Compare her with a high self-monitor, who carefully selects his clothing and hairstyle to match social situations and tries hard to fit in with whomever he is with.

A high self-monitor tends to express different attitudes to different audiences—even if it entails endorsing attitudes that he doesn’t hold—and is more likely to mimic the behavior of others (Estow, Jamieson, & Yates, 2007; Leary & Allen, 2011). In contrast to low self-monitors, high self-monitors are more likely to act in accordance with social norms and are better able to read and respond to the interpersonal cues and emotions of others (Fuglestad & Snyder, 2010; Snyder, 1974). Differences between high and low self-monitors extend to romantic relationships—where the former focus more on surface characteristics such as physical attractiveness—and advertising—where image-oriented ads appeal to those at the high end of the scale (Snyder & DeBono, 1985). Some of my students have argued that self-monitoring is undesirable because it is overly conformist. However, they backpedal a bit when they realize how frequently they self-monitor and how important matching the behavior of others and fitting in are.

Bias Blind Spot: Believing that one is immune to cognitive biases that affect others

Interpersonal Self: Way we present ourselves to other people

Impression Management: Efforts to project the image of the self that a person wants others to have

Self-Monitoring: Extent to which people chronically think about how they appear to others and, as a consequence, change their appearance and behavior to fit the circumstances