Self-monitoring, status, and balance of power in romantic relationships

Self-monitoring theory proposes that people higher in self-monitoring are motivated by gaining status, whereas those lower in self-monitoring are motivated by establishing equal status bonds. These propositions were tested in an experimental study of romantic relationships. Participants completed the Self-Monitoring Scale and were randomly assigned to imagine themselves in one of six relationships which varied in balance of power and partner status. After examining the scenario, participants evaluated the relationship. For people higher versus lower in self-monitoring, status was a stronger predictor of relationship evaluation. Conversely, for people lower versus higher in self-monitoring, power was a stronger predictor of relationship evaluation. Exploratory analyses of acquisitive and protective self-monitoring were examined and implications for unitary versus multidimensional self-monitoring conceptions were discussed.