The relative reactivity of external observations and self-monitoring

To compare the relative reactivity of self-monitoring and external-monitoring, trained observers (from behind a one-way mirror) recorded the face-touching frequency of 14 college students in a classroom situation through five experimental conditions: baseline, observer-present, observer-absent, self-recording, and return-to-baseline. Although external-monitoring reduced face-touching frequency, self-monitoring was more reactive and produced more consistent reactivity across subjects. These results were discussed in terms of possible mechanisms explaining the reactivity of self-monitoring and possible variables affecting the reactivity of external observations.