Adolescent self-monitoring.
Self-monitoring attributes of 239 adolescents were studied from the viewpoint of providing psychologists and educators with insight into impression management both as a facilitator of youths' development, especially with regard to identity formation, and as a possible detriment due to its overuse in a defensive posture. Adolescents highly adept at self-monitoring displayed social competencies most related to interpersonal adequacy, poise and ascendance; however, medium levels of self-monitoring were associated most with interpersonal values, maturity, and responsibility. It is suggested that high self-monitors may sacrifice concern for others in the interest of self-serving attitudes. Adolescents low in self-esteem are likely to use self-monitoring techniques as a defense against inadequate feelings. Generally, self-monitoring attributes were related mainly to social, rather than intellectual characteristics. In contrast to past research, the use of moderate self-monitoring levels along with sex and self-esteem as variables, provided a means of examining some variation in the adaptive uses of self-monitoring not heretofore observed.
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012951:Socialization