Self-monitoring and the propensity for risk

Apart from earlier research on sexual behavior, little is known about assoc iations between self-monitoring and engagement in risk behaviors. Our resea rch verified that one component of self-monitoring, public performing, is r elated to a range of risk behaviors. We then tested whether the greater eng agement of high compared to low self-monitoring individuals in risk behavio rs could be attributed to: (a) greater discrepancies between perceptions of risk and reported risk behaviors for the high-scoring group; or (b) higher levels of sensation seeking among high versus low self-monitoring individu als. Data from a sample of 452 college students supported the second of the se two explanations. Implications for self-monitoring theory and measuremen t, as well as for adolescent and young adult risk behaviors, are discussed. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.