Self-monitoring, interpersonal perceptions, and satisfaction in intimate relationships

Bibliography: pages [182]-188.The present study was designed to replicate and extend previous research which shows that discrepancy among phenomenological perspectives is the greatest for females' counter-sex-role or instrumental attributes. An attempt was also made to investigate the possible moderating effects of self-monitoring and to identify which perspectives are most important for satisfaction in heterosexual relationships. The principal hypothesis was that sex of subject and type of trait would interact to affect scores on all perspectives. The secondary hypothesis was that high self-monitors would be more accurate in their perception of others and would have more satisfied partners than low selfmonitors. A 2 (female or male) x 2 (high or low self-monitors) x 2 (instrumental or expressive traits) design was used to test the hypotheses. To obtain scores on all of the perspectives and veridicalities, subjects as well as their partners completed modified versions of the Personal Attributes Questionnaire from six different perspectives. In addition, subjects and partners completed an Ideal Attributes Questionnaire and a Satisfaction Scale for interpersonal relationships. As predicted, the results generally showed that phenomenal disparity is greatest for attributions about females' stereotypically masculine or instrumental traits. Contrary to prediction, there was little evidence to suggest that high self-monitoring affects f interpersonal phenomenology. Results of a multiple regression analysis also indicated that subjects who had accurate knowledge of what their partners would say about the subjects' instrumental attributes were more satisfied than subjects who were less accurate. In addition, subjects who believed that they and their . partners had very similar views about their partners' expressive traits were more satisfied than subjects who had lower expectations of agreement. Discussion indicated that females' instrumentality may be the focus of phenomenal disparity because males are reluctant to validate levels of instrumentality which they do not expect or prefer. Discussion also suggested that self-monitoring failed to affect interpersonal phenomenology because self-monitoring serves the interests of self rather than the interests of others. It was concluded that contrary to previous findings and models of interpersonal relationships, both instrumental traits of the subject and the expressive dispositions of their partners are important to subjects' satisfaction.M.A. (Master of Arts