A contemporary taxometric analysis of the latent structure of self-monitoring.

Abstract

One of the most provocative findings in the personality psychology literature is evidence that the latent structure of self-monitoring is categorical. That is, individuals can be classified as either high or low self-monitors (Gangestad & Snyder, 1985). Surprisingly, in the three decades since its original publication, this study has never been replicated. Using the sample from the original study (N = 1,918) and a replication sample (N = 2,951), the latent structure of self-monitoring was retested using contemporary taxometric procedures. Preliminary analyses indicated that the eight-item indicator set used in the original study lacked sufficient indicator validities for unambiguously detecting latent categorical structure. In addition, the Other-Directedness subscale, one of the three factor analytically derived subscale indicators used in the original investigation, was likewise found to be unsuitable, because of a combination of low validity and relative orthogonality vis-à-vis its fellow subscales. The 2 remaining subscales, Acting and Extraversion, had excellent properties as indicators, and were subsequently subjected to multiple taxometric procedures and consistency tests. Results failed to support the original taxonic claim; to the contrary, multiple comparison curves and a grand mean comparison curve fit index (CCFI) of .214 provided strong, convergent evidence that the latent structure of self-monitoring is dimensional rather than categorical. Dimensional findings indicate that the conventional model of self-monitoring may merit reexamination, and that theoretical models, measurement practices, and data analytic procedures that assume taxonicity should be replaced by dimensional conceptualizations and corresponding statistical procedures. Findings underscore the importance of replication in psychological science.