Self-Monitoring and Beliefs about Partner Compatibility in Romantic Relationships
Self-monitoring differences in the manner in which people assess the compatibility of couples as romantic partners were explored. On the basis of previous research, we hypothesized that high, in contrast to low, self-monitoring individuals focus relatively more on the match between the levels of physical attractiveness of a couple when assessing compatibility. Low, in contrast to high, self-monitors were expected to focus relatively more on the similarity between the personality traits and interests of a couple when assessing compatibility. High -and low-self-monitoring participants were given photographs and personality information about 5 men and 5 women. Participants indicated the five couples they felt were most compatible by using the 10 targets to create five couple pairings. As predicted, high, relative to low, self-monitors created matches in which targets were more similar in ratings of physical attractiveness while low, relative to high, self-monitors created matches in which targets were more similar in personality traits and interests. Implications of these results for previous research on self-monitoring and dating relationships are discussed.