On the nature of self-monitoring: construct explication with Q-sort ratings.
To explicate M. Snyder's (1987) construct of self-monitoring (SM), a new Q-sort prototype is introduced. Analyses of Q-sorts by both observers and self demonstrated cross-method convergent validity for the revised 18-item Self-Monitoring Scale (SMS-R) and its Public Performing subscale; however, neither scale showed discriminant validity against measures of extraversion. The Other-Directedness items remaining on the SMS-R correlated neither with the other measures of SM nor with extraversion. These findings suggest that the scale revision led to a conceptual shift toward extraverted (and away from other-directed) features of self-presentation. To adequately assess the conceptual domain of SM phenomena, researchers should administer the original 25-item SMS (not the abbreviated 18-item SMS-R) and score Public Performing and Other-Directedness separately to examine their individual and joint effects.
John
O P
OP
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley 94720-1650, USA.
Cheek
J M
JM
Klohnen
E C
EC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D011779:Q-Sort; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment