Studies 1 and 2 showed that identical behaviors had greater impact on the self-concept when performed publicly rather than privately. That is, the self-concept is more likely to change by internalizing public behavior than by internalizing behavior that is identical but lacks the interpersonal context. The self-concept change extends even to behavioral changes and occurs even when participants are unaware of being observed. In addition, those who are high in self-monitoring are more likely to internalize their behavior than those who are low in self-monitoring. Study 3 provided evidence about what components of a public situation affect the internalization of behavior. Choice about making the self-portrayal, drawing on episodes from one's own past rather than relying on a yoked script, and expecting future interaction with the audience all increased the internalization of a public behavior.

How do people change their views about themselves? Psychological theory and evidence have provided ample evidence that self-concepts resist change and maintain stability (e.g., Maracek & Mettee, 1972; McFarlin & Blascovich, 1981; Sullivan, 1953; Swann, 1983, 1987; Swann & Ely, 1984; Swann & Hill, 1982; Swann & Predmore, 1985; Swann & Read, 1981). Yet occasionally people do change; indeed, such change is considered desirable in some settings, including psychotherapy and assertiveness training.

Research by social psychologists has recently produced one paradigm for studying and analyzing self-concept change. In this paradigm, people are induced to behave in a particular way, and their subsequent self-ratings show that they come...