Self-Monitoring, Locus of Control, and Social Encounters of Chinese and New Zealand Students

Characteristics of daily encounters were studied as a function of self-monitoring and locus of control in Chinese and European students. Complementary predictions based on both the individualistic versus collectivistic cultural distinction and self-monitoring theory were supported by the results. The Chinese sample showed higher self-monitoring scores, were more external in their locus of control, made fewer daily contacts that were more task oriented, and involved higher levels of self-disclosure than New Zealand students. Differences in daily encounters were also shown for the interaction between high and low self-monitoring internals (those with an internal locus of control) and externals (those with an external locus of control) that were independent of culture. The implication and qualification of the results were discussed in terms of differences in cultural meaning and value in self-presentation.