Self-Monitoring

Self-monitoring is what psychologists call the tendency of a pseudo-introvert or -extrovert to act out of their comfort personality. However, we can only hide behind our masks for so long that #we will eventually break out of character, even for a moment. This phenomenon is called behavioral leakage#, “when our true selves seep out via unconscious body language,” as Susan Cain puts it¹.

Self-monitors are adept at keeping in character, modifying their behaviors to the social demands of the situation. High self-monitors are the social butterflies that can blend in any company at a drop of a hat. In contrast, low self-monitors base their behavior on their own internal compass, have smaller collection of social masks to play in, making them less sensitive to social cues.