Self‐Monitoring and Close Relationships

Abstract

Three types of close relationships have received attention from theorists and researchers interested in self-monitoring: friendships, romantic relationships, and marriage. Our review of this literature was organized around three phases of relationships: initiation, maintenance, and dissolution. Across the three types of relationships, consistent differences between high self-monitors and low self-monitors emerged concerning the structure of their social relationships (segmented vs. integrated), the basis for choosing friends and romantic partners (activity-based vs. person-based), and the orientation taken to romantic and marital partners (uncommitted vs. committed). Across all three types of relationships, however, little is known about the processes and consequences involved in the dissolution of close relationships for high self-monitors and low self-monitors. Relatively little is also known about the processes used by high self-monitors and low self-monitors to maintain their friendships and marriages. In addition to addressing these deficiencies in the literature, theorists and researchers interested in self-monitoring and close relationships need to develop sophisticated, causal models that can account for (a) interaction exchanges in the relationships, (b) dyadic as well as individual levels of analysis, and (c) temporal and situational changes in the course of close relationships.

Impact of Self Monitoring and Gender on Coping Strategies in Intimate Relationships Among Turkish University Students

“…This result is also inconsistent with previous research results (Leone and Hawkins 2006;Snyder and Simpson 1984), showing that high self monitors appear to be willing to spend more time with friends than with a partner. This finding can be related to the fact that high self monitors' responses are highly variable from one situation to another.…”

“…For example, high self monitors need to obtain from their potential relationships outcomes such as sex appeal, social status and social approval. On the other hand, low self monitors are motivated to obtain outcomes such as honesty, thoughtfulness, responsibility, loyalty, emphatic concern, mutual satisfaction, and shared attitudes from their relationships (Leone and Hawkins 2006). Moreover, low and high self monitoring individuals have disparate views of the future of their intimate relationships.…”

“…Leone and Hawkins (2006) suggested that high and low self monitors can react differently in romantic relationships because of differences between their characteristic orientations toward social world. High monitors are very concerned with the impressions that their intimate relationships make on others, therefore, they present themselves on the basis of situational and interpersonal cues but, low self monitors are less concerned with this kind of impressions and present themselves on the basis of what they think and feel (Snell 2002).…”

Angel or demon? Self-monitoring differences in the mental representations of current versus former romantic partners

“…Consequently, high self-monitors may find it fairly easy to find, attract, and retain partners whose attributes (e.g., physical attractiveness, social status) are congruent with the impression management goals of high self-monitors (Leone & Hawkins, 2006). Given that high self-monitors are often relatively less committed than are their low self-monitoring counterparts to relationship partners (Leone & Hall, 2003;norris & Zweigenhaft, 1999;Simpson, 1987), they may be quite willing to terminate romantic relationships that are no longer functional for them. Therefore, there may be less of an incentive for high self-monitors to segregate a partner's favorable and unfavorable attributes so as to maintain that current romantic relationship.…”

The Psychology of Becoming a Successful Worker

“…The phrase 'platonic friendship' harks back to Ancient Greece and refers to a non-sexual friendship (Leone and Hawkins 2006 ). As friendship is based on free choice, there have to be reasons that people are encouraged to build friendships and reasons that make them worth cherishing (Schmalenbach 1977(Schmalenbach /1922.…”