Karma Chameleon

Do you ever find yourself changing from situation from situation like a chameleon?  You hold up one façade when you find yourself interacting with one group of people and take a 180° turn in appearance with another?

Researcher Mark Snyder (1987) calls this phenomena self-monitoring.  According to this theory, we have a tendency to monitor/gauge our behavior and have the ability (or choose) to change to adapt to a social situation.

However, not everyone self-monitors to the same degree.  Some people are considered to be high self-monitoring.  A high self-monitor is more likely to be constantly observant of their social environment and will change their behavior to match the social climate.  For example, a person may have a passion and hobby for sailing and not for dolphins.  However, if he or she is at a fundraiser that benefits the rescue and aid of dolphins a high self-monitor will adapt their behavior to reflect the interest of the social environment, dolphins.  Thus, the passionate sailor will now go on and on to people at the fundraiser about their concern, love, and active fight for the rights of dolphins even though he or she had never given dolphins a second thought prior to the fundraiser.  For a high self-monitor, appearance in a social situation is considerably important.  

On the opposite end of the spectrum are low self-monitors.  In the previously mentioned situation, a low self-monitor who does not feel the need to be adaptive to different social situations may engage with patrons of the party admitting that he or she has never really given dolphins much thought or not discuss the welfare of dolphins at all.  A low self-monitor is considered to remain consistent (i.e., consistent behavior) across social situations (Snyder & Monson, 1975).

After taking The Self-Monitoring Scale (Snyder, 1974; Snyder & Gangestad, 1986), I found myself a bit surprised.  I had a score of '11' which is somewhat the median in the scale that ranges from 0 (low self-monitoring) to 18 (high self-monitoring).  I actually thought I would be higher in self-monitoring because I am very self-conscious about my outward appearance to others and also very extroverted.  However, I think the surprise is a more pleasant than upsetting.  

I am considerably adaptive in changing my behavior according to the social situation I find myself in.  Whenever I am among my hometown church congregation I am the quiet, shy, and respectful minister's daughter.  At school, different social groups know different "me's".  In my classes, I tend to be the more passive and quiet student who occasionally speaks up in class (Depending on the class.  I am much more talkative in some of my philosophy classes than my psychology classes). Among friends I pull back all the restraints on my sailor's mouth and say every combination of the f-bomb possible. In front of some of my professors I interact in a more composed, serious and professional manner whereas with others (i.e., mostly Dr. Selbin) who have gotten to know me on a more personal level I interact with very differently than with other faculty at Southwestern.  

Normally, I am considerably shy, meek and don't hold myself to high regards.  However, I know how to turn the light switch from my passive, quiet self to taking charge and lead.  Throughout my middle school and high school years I have always held positions of authority and leadership at school and in larger church youth organizations.  This quiet girl usually fades in the background with her friends at a party but will always gladly take the microphone in front of an audience without feeling too nervous or shy.  I walk with my head facing the ground sometimes but will lift my head up to be all smiles and engaging in conversation when I have to share cocktails with the Southwestern Board of Trustees.  

I am not a super chameleon, I feel that the reason I fall within the median of the Self-Monitoring Scale is because many of my personality traits remain consistent across social situations.  Nonetheless, I am observant of my social climate and will change my behavior to match what I feel is the most beneficial way to behave or carry myself.  

n = 695

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Snyder, M. (1974). The self-monitoring of expressive behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 30(4) 526–537. doi:10.1037/h0037039

Snyder, M. (1987). Public appearances/private realities: The psychology of self-monitoring. New York, NY US: Freeman/ Times Books/ Henry Holt & Co.

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. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.1.125

Snyder, M., & Monson, T. C. (1975). Persons, situations, and the control of social behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 32(4) 637–644. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.32.4.637