Ethnic Differences in the Imaginary Audience

Elkind and Bowen's study was used as a basis for examining ethnic differences in the Imaginary Audience Scale (IAS) and its two subscales, the Abiding Self (AS) and the Transient Self (TS). Eighty-five Sioux and 100 Caucasian adolescents in the 7th, 8th, 11th, and 12th grades were administered the IAS. Some of Elkind and Bowen's findings were replicated. Ethnic differences were found in correlations between the IAS and measures of self-concept. No ethnic differences in IAS scores were found for younger adolescents; however, older Caucasian adolescents had lower AS scores than older Sioux adolescents. The need for more research on the IAS with different racial and cultural groups was discussed.