Self-monitoring training: Effects on reactivity and accuracy of self-observation

Abstract

Fifty-two volunteer subjects were randomly assigned to one of the following conditions: (a) self-monitoring training, (b) other-monitoring training, (c) selfmonitoring control, and (d) other-monitoring control. Following a pretreatment manipulation of valence, all subjects were asked to self-monitor the number of “Ahs” and “third-person pronouns” (TPPs) emitted during three unobtrusively recorded public speeches. While both training groups became significantly more accurate ( p <.02) in monitoring the occurrence of TPPs, all groups revealed a highly significant declien ( p <.001) in Ah occurrences across speeches. Furthermore, correlational analyses indicated that increases in self-monitoring accuracy were strongly associated with decreases in target behavior frequency. These results are discussed with regard to the accuracy and reactive effects of selfversus other-monitoring training, the nature of the target behavior under investigation, and the valence manipulation within the self-observational process.