Social Self-Monitoring (SMS)

What the SMS measures

Are you the exact same person at a corporate board meeting as you are at a dive bar with friends?

The dimensions it assesses

• Expressive Control: The ability to act, put on a facade, or hide true emotions (e.g., smiling politely at a boss you despise).
• Other-Directedness: The desire to please others, conform to group norms, and avoid social friction.

What to do with your result

1. The Chameleon's Burden (High SM): High self-monitors are deeply prone to emotional exhaustion because they are always "on stage." They must intentionally carve out spaces in their lives with people where they are allowed to take the mask off and be messy, boring, or angry without fear of losing the relationship.
2. The Authentic's Blindspot (Low SM): Low self-monitors often view diplomacy as "lying." They must be coached to understand that adapting communication to a specific audience isn't fake; it's basic empathy and effective communication. (e.g., You don't speak to your CEO the exact same way you speak to your spouse).

Common questions about the SMS

What does the SMS measure?

Measurement of Self-Monitoring: the degree to which individuals consciously regulate and adapt their public behavior to match the demands of social situations.

Can the SMS diagnose me?

No. Social Self-Monitoring (SMS) is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. It can flag that something may need a closer look. It cannot tell you what is causing it. It describes tendencies rather than diagnosing anything, and no result here is a condition or something to fix.

Is this SMS test really free?

Yes. No account, no email address, no payment. Psychometrics Today is funded by donations rather than advertising, which is also what allows us to publish instruments whose authors permit free but non-commercial use.

Are my answers stored or shared?

No. Your answers are scored inside your browser and never sent to us. There is no database of responses, because we never receive any. Closing the tab erases them, which is why results cannot be recovered afterwards.

How often should I retake the SMS?

Traits and preferences move slowly, so retaking this every few months is more informative than retaking it often. Larger shifts usually follow a genuine change in circumstances.

How accurate is the SMS?

Screening questionnaires are good at flagging that something merits attention and poor at establishing what it is. This one is sensitive to how you feel on the day you take it, and many instruments were validated on narrow populations whose cut-offs may not transfer cleanly to everyone. The references at the foot of this page are the primary sources.