ARE YOU A SELF- MONITOR?

Presentation courtesy of David Baydek’s life

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July 20, 2010Valerie ManusovPersonal Portrait

David, how did you choose this topic?

Well class, I’m glad you asked. When I was reading the material over and over while studying for the midterm, (weeks in advance) I ran in to the topic of self-monitoring behavior (pages 440-443 in the book). I took the eight question quiz and found out that I answered yes on nearly all of them (sans public speaking). I am a somewhat high self-monitor which I thought was good. So I decided to see what connections I could make and clarify what the term means for the class (hopefully I am not the 8th person to pick this).

What process will you use to create your portrait? Answering point #2

I will be using modern technology in the form of a PowerPoint presentation because…

I am not crafty enough to cut things out and make them pretty.

The last poem I wrote was in 5th grade about a turtle who played soccer.

I don’t know interpretive dance nor do I ever get the “message” they are supposedly sending.

And I love technical difficulties that arise whenever someone hooks up a computer to the class projector so here it goes.

What is self-monitoring behavior according to Canary, Cody & Manusov?

“Self-monitoring is a personality construct that is intimately linked to a person’s view of himself or herself. High self-monitors pay close attention to their own behaviors and emotional reactions to be seen as appropriate in order to achieve their interaction goals in a given situation (Meyer, 2001).”Apparently they liked this definition.

Ok, but what does that mean in English?

A high self-monitor is someone who changes how they act to blend in.

A low self-monitor is more or less the same person in different situations.

Here are some examples of David doing this… hopefully this YouTube clip loads (fingers crossed)

A sad attempt at Karaoke

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUPFofVJ6ws

Why was that a good example?

There were around 200 people at a Karaoke event in Seattle and to “blend in” I picked an old song from my roller-skating days that most people knew. There were a few people singing along so other than me forgetting how long the song was, it serves as a good example.

According to Table 14.2 in the literature… Number 6 states “I guess I put on a show to impress or entertain others.” I would answer yes to this question.

Another example of my chameleon-like abilities

Just kidding, but seriously, it took a second to realize that I was not wearing a scuba suit.

Chameleon pictures

Why were those examples of self-monitoring?

I was trying to be funny with the pictures on the left because I was with my family and friends.

I wasn’t smiling in the photos on the right because every male in the Army tries to show as little emotion as possible in certain situations.

I changed from funny to serious David (I hate speaking in the 3rd person so I’ll cut that down a bit) when the situation calls for it either with different friends or different activities.

Why do I change?

When I am with my mom I have to act like a different person so I can be accepted. I rarely joke with her because she hasn’t grasped the concept of sarcasm and I don’t like explaining jokes. I never swear or listen to rap music in her presence. When I am with my girlfriend

<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I use sarcasm, swear occasionally, and I don’t self-censor as much. I change my behavior depending on who I am with.

Example Quiz for low self-monitors

I would not change my opinions in order to please someone or win their favor.

In groups of people I am rarely the center of attention.

I find it hard to imitate the behavior of other people.

My behavior is usually an expression of my true inner feelings, attitudes, and beliefs.

If you answered yes for most of the questions, you are a low self-monitor.

Example quiz courtesy of Mark Snyder

What is my best example of being a high self-monitor?

On page 442 of the textbook, the 3rd feature of self-monitors by Snyder & Gangestad is that in conversations, “high self-monitors are more likely to prompt others to talk about themselves… use humor and reciprocating self-disclosures… to ensure that the conversation continues.”

When I read that I thought that this definition was tailor made for me.

In most conversations I ask others to talk about themselves and feel that it is my responsibility to keep the conversation going.

Are you a high self-monitor all the time?

I wish that I could say that public speaking was not an issue but it is.

Depending on the friends or other company I am with, I will change my demeanor to fit in.

Some of my friends in college would have their mind blown if they knew I made the Dean’s list or have an addiction to $3 blackjack at the Emerald Queen Casino.

I only let certain people know about certain parts of my identity.

Unlike the example in the book of high self-monitors, I have been in a few long relationships instead of many more short ones. I have been going out with my girlfriend for three years next month. Pause for obligatory aww. This is part of me not totally being a high self-monitor 24/7.

Any Questions?

Sources

The class textbook for definitions and examples.

Myspace and Facebook for photos. YouTube for the video. http://pubpages.unh.edu/~ckb/SELFMON2

.html for the quiz questions.

Google for the question guy image. Finally, my life experience.