Role of self-monitoring in impression management among university students

Abstract

The present research aimed to in vestigate the role of self-monitorillg in the impression management behavior of the university students. A comparative analysis between the high and low self-monitors regarding impression management tactics and profiles was carried out. Similarly. cu>nder differences in impression management behavior were studied. In addition to this, students of private and public universities were also compared for impression management behavior. The research was carried out in three parts. In pari 1. Impression Management scale (IMS) and Self-Monitoring Scale (SMS) were modified in the light of preslesting of the original scales 011 sWdenls and judges' opinions regarding the rephrasing of some items 0/ the original scales. Further, psychometric properties were also determined for both scales in Part Il of thc research. Part III, the main study of the present research purported to investigate the role of different levels of self-monitoring in impression management behavior of public and private university students. The main study was conducted on the total sample of 200, which included 150 boys and 150 girls students of business administratioll half from public university and half from private university. The sample was distributed in two groups of high and low self-monitors on the basis of scores on Se/fMonitoring Scale using tripartite split technique. The sample was tested to check the prevalcnce of different impression management profiles by carrying out cluster analysis. Results showed the presence of three already established impression management profiles i.e. Positives, Aggressives and Passives. Results indicated that high self-monitdrs scored higher on IMS as compared to low self-monitors and boys scored high on IMS as compared to girls. Students of private universities scored higher on IMS as compared to students oJ public universities. Non-Significant difference was found among girls and boys regarding the use of different impression management profiles. Positive profile was Jound to be the most frequent profile in the sample followed by Aggressive and Passive. While results indicated the Significant differences among high and low se(fmonitors in using different impression management profiles. Aggressive profile was the most frequently used by high self-monitors Jollowed by Positive and Passive. On the other hand. Passive was the most Widely used by low self-monitors. Results showed the significant contribution of self-monitoring in the usage of impression management among university students.