Predicting authenticity: The effects of self-monitoring, self-presentation styles, and biological sex

Abstract

The field of authenticity research is quickly expanding, and much research has investigated the antecedents of authenticity; however, some factors have only been theorised. This thesis project aims to take two concepts theorised to affect authenticity, which are self-monitoring levels and self-presentation styles and explore their relationship to it. Sex is known to influence self-monitoring and self-presentation styles and was therefore included as a moderating variable. Expanding our knowledge into the factors that affect authenticity allows us to construct interventions to help increase individuals' authenticity and well-being. In this cross-sectional study (N = 388), respondents rated themselves on scales measuring their authenticity, self-monitoring and self-presentation styles. Via the regression analyses, we found that the respondent's age played a significant role in their authenticity level. The self-presentation styles, exemplification and supplication, were found to have negative relationships with authenticity. Sex moderated the relationship between self-promotion and authenticity, so that the non-significant positive relationship was stronger for women than men. The respondent's sex also moderated the relationship between intimidation and authenticity, making the non-significant negative relationship stronger for women. All other findings were non-significant, indicating that self-monitoring and ingratiation do not significantly predict authenticity regardless of whether sex was a moderator or not.