DEVELOPMENT OF A SCALE MEASURING GENETIC-VARIATION RELATED TO EXPRESSIVE CONTROL

It has been theorized that a substantial genetic component underlies t he Self-Monitoring Scale. The identity of this component, however, is not yet known. In order to identify and better understand it, a more p recise measure of the component is required. The present research atte mpted to (a) identify an axis of the self-monitoring two-factor space with maximum genetic variance; and (b) bootstrap a scale more highly c orrelated with this genetic maximum than is the Self-Monitoring Scale using twins. Evaluation of the new scale against criteria of validity indicates that scale construction was reasonably successful. The new m easure had a cross-validated monozygotic twin intraclass correlation o f .76 and a dizygotic twin intraclass correlation of .16. This work yi elds a new research tool and suggests a new approach to personality as sessment. Correlates of the new measure as well as theoretical and met hodological issues relevant to the measurement of a latent genetic ent ity are discussed.