Self Monitoring and Self Consciousness

Individual Differences in Self Processes

Self Monitoring

• Individual Differences in Self Presentation• Self Monitoring scale – Snyder– Individual differences in ability and motivation to

vary one’s expressive behavior over settings• Similar to factor N on 16pf• Not simply conformity

– Mean (BSU 317): 12.15 (quartiles = 9/15)– Good or bad?

Self-Monitoring Findings

• Actors score high (politicians?)• High SM better at emotion recognition and

expression– Production/interpretation tasks

• High SM better person memory; but only if future interaction is anticipated

• Marketing: soft sell (e.g.,) vs. hard sell (e.g.,)• Trait – behavior correlation

Self Consciousness/Awareness

Focus of attention on one’s self

Varies over situations – Self Awareness Varies over people – Self Consciousness

Self Awareness

• Self awareness continuum: +---------------------------------------------------+

Objective Self-awareness Deindividuation

Types of situations?

Self Awareness

• Two effects:• OSA uncomfortable– Why?– Motivated to reduce– How?

• Deindividuation – Increased likelihood of counter-normative

behavior– Self system disengaged

Self Consciousness

• Individual Differences• Three subscales:• Private – inward focus• Public – concern with others’ perceptions of

self• Social anxiety – experience of anxiety in social

situations

Self Consciousness

• Norms: Mean Quartiles• Private 49 57/44• Public 38 44/31• Social Anxiety 26 32/18

• Private and Public relatively independent• Moderate Public – Social Anxiety correlation

Private Self-Consciousness

• Potential Positive:– Self-knowledge

• Potential Negative:– Excessive rumination– Depression• Why?

Self-Consciousness

• Strategies for reducing?• Hull– Perform task – Return and receive false feedback– Wine tasting

False Feedback Positive Negative High Private Low Private