Understanding Generation Y’s Traits

Introduction:

It cannot be ignored that the birth of the new millennium has brought with it increased technological advancements, changing value systems and cultures that permeate different parts d of the world we live in today (Barry and Lee-Rowland, 2015). Born starting from the early 1980s to the late 1990s. There have been increased interests among researchers on studying Generation Y`s unique characteristics. These individuals personality traits have been one of the major study areas. This study tries to assess different adults were asked to complete questionnaires; a total of 139 individuals with the generation Y forming the bulk of the study. It is worth noting that the main motivation of this study is to gain a better understanding of Generation Yers. Different scales are used to get a better understanding of the personality traits of the different individuals drawn from a different generation. These scales include; the psychological entitlement scale, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, the Narcissism Personality Inventory scale, the Purpose in life Scale and the Hypersensitive Narcissism scale.

Method

Participants

139 participants completed the questionnaires. This group consisted of Generation Y (n=69), Generation X (n=22) and Baby Boomers (n=48). Demographics are broken down for each Generation in Table 1.

Materials

Questionnaires consisted of the Psychological Entitlement Scale (Campbell, Bonacci, Shelton, Exline & Bushman, 2004), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965), the Narcissism Personality Inventory-16 (Ames, Rose & Anderson, 2006), the Purpose in Life Scale (Crumbaugh & Maholick, 1964) and the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale (Hendin & Cheek, 1997). Table 2 indicates previously reported Cronbach Alphas for each of the scales, demonstrating that all have high reliability.

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Procedure

Students studying in the developmental psychology unit at the Australian College of Psychology were asked to recruit two individual participants per student. Participants were required to be over the age of 18 years, and have English as their primary language. Once participants agreed to participate in the research they completed a short survey, consisting of demographic items (age, sex, region of birth, siblings, and commitment to a system of faith or spirituality) and then sixty-five (64) items assessing various personality traits. Participation in the study was completely voluntary and anonymous. Once the survey was completed, participants were requested to return their surveys in sealed envelopes that were provided to them and return to the student who invited them to participate in the study. Sealed envelopes were handed over to the principal researcher, who then collated the responses and conducted the data analyses. Ethics approval was provided by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at ACAP.

Results

Prior to conducting the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA), data normality tests revealed the Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16 (NPI-16) was severely positively skewed at .945 (SE=.41) and would violate the assumption of normality required to compute a valid MANOVA, hence the NPI-16 was transformed using the square root method. The transformed data was then used in subsequent analyses. All other scales demonstrated a normal distribution. Normality of data was confirmed using Box’s M which delivered a value of 54.92 with an associated p value of .01 which is interpreted as non-significant based on Huberty and Petoskey’s (2000) guide that Box’s M only be regarded as significant with a p<.005. Pearson’s correlations were conducted to test the hypothesis that the year of birth would be correlated with the dependent variables. Results indicated that year of birth was significantly negatively correlated with Rosenberg Self-Esteem (r(137) = -.35, p < .001), and Purpose in Life (r(137) = -.43, p < .001). Pearson’s correlations were then conducted between all dependent variables, to determine if a meaningful correlation existed between variables (table 3), which indicated the appropriateness of a MANOVA. In addition, as Cramer and Bock (1966) suggest, the MANOVA was appropriate as it will assist in reducing the risk of type 1 errors in the post hoc comparisons given the number of post-hoc comparisons required for the current analysis. A one-way MANOVA was then conducted to test the hypothesis that personality differences exist between the three generations (Generation Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers). The MANOVA produced a statistically significant effect: Pillais’ Trace = .21 F(10, 266)=3.26, p<.001. Here the multivariate effect was estimated at .104 which indicates that 10% of the variance in the canonically derived dependent variable was accounted for by Generation.

Levene’s F test was then used to test for homogeneity of variance before conducting a series of follow up ANOVA’s. None of the Levene’s tests were found to be significant indicating that all the tested measures had sufficient homogeneity of variance to conduct the follow up post hoc analyses. A series of one way ANOVA’s were then performed. As can be seen in Table 4, three measures were found to be significant: Rosenberg’s Self Esteem (with effect size of .12), Purpose in Life (.10) and Hypersensitive Narcissism (.09). Finally a series of post-hoc analyses (Fisher’s Least Squares Difference, LSD) were performed to examine mean difference comparisons across the generation groups. Fisher’s LSD was deemed appropriate as it does not inflate the type 1 error with 3 or fewer groups. Results indicated that Generation Y were significantly different (p<.05) from both Generation X and the Baby Boomers on Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Purpose in Life Scale and Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, with moderate effect sizes ranging from -.65 to -.76. These results indicate that Generation Y are significantly lower scoring on Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale, also significantly lower scoring on the Purpose in Life Scale and score significantly higher on the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale.

Discussion

The results of this study reveal that the greatest generational differences are observed between Gen Y and the Baby Boomers. Profiles of individuals falling within Gen X fall in between the scores of the Gen Y`s and Baby Boomers. As evident from the study, of the five different scales that were examined, only four reflected generational differences that were different. To be specific, on the personality traits psychological entitlement, there were no significant generational differences among the three generations. On the other hand, there were significant differences between the generational groups on purpose in life scale, hypersensitive narcissism scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and Narcissistic personality inventory scale. Post Hoc Bonferroni tests indicated that the Gen Y and Gen X individuals were more focused about life and were generally more ambitious. While it would be expected that the Baby Boomers would be highly achieving as a result of their increased age and maturity, they actually, are the least focused of the three generations about life. Usually, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory aims to calculate those negative traits, that usually, are associated with Narcissism, for example, entitlement, arrogance, exhibitionism and self-absorption (Walderman, 2013). However, even with identifying these characteristics that are harmful potentially, the NPO could also be used to capture traits that are positive like resilience, high self-esteem and extraversion. The NPI respondents involved in this study were required to choose a statement from a pair that was the best representation of their views. Examples of some of the questions that were asked include; “Would it make a little more difference if I were a leader,” and “Do you wish you were more assertive?” The findings in the study when combined with the findings of Campbell et al., (2004) suggest an orientation that is greater among younger employees to seek career advancements. Notably, Baby Boomers are approaching the end of their active working lives and as such things like career advancement are no longer a priority for them when compared to employees of the younger generations whose careers still have high potentials of growing. The existing hypothesis that this kind of difference would be more related to age and not birth cohort difference is supported further by previous studies that explored age differences on the scale of purpose in life. Gen Y`s and Gen X`s purpose in life is further highlighted by the fact that these generations are more oriented towards technology and also comfortable with technological advancements. Given their high comfort levels with high communication speeds, there is a high likelihood that individuals from these generations would demand environments that are more fast-paced, even more than reflected by their true preferences.

Increased technological advancements, economic factors and having “helicopter parents,” all are factors that contribute to the characteristics of the Generation Yers and to the mentality that anything is achievable which makes them very purposed and focused about life. Generation Yers` also have the tendency of being impatient, selfish, hedonistic, and narcissistic and have increased willingness to put in extra efforts in anything they are engaged in for praise and immediate rewards. As a result of their increased narcissism and self-esteem individuals from this generation are more likely to move from one company to another with ease because their loyalty levels are also very low. The cases of Narcissism, lower social approval needs and anxiety are more prevalent among Generation yer`s (Twenge et Al., 2008). Jean Twenge is the most vocal proponent of the view that the young people of today show more narcissistic and selfish tendencies when compared to individuals from previous generations. Twenge holds the belief that the rise in narcissism has its roots in cultural changes, and that is especially the increased focus on individualism through the last few decades. For instance, with societies and parents of today with no doubt place greater value on the individual achievements of younger people over their duties civically. In our societies today, most of the problems are associated with people whose self-esteem levels are low. Some of these problems include violence and addiction to drugs. Most of Jean Twenge`s works are based on the Narcissist Personality Inventory, a measure that asks individuals to pick from different pairs of items that are self-descriptive, with the tone of some of the items being a narcissist. What Twenge advances are that with every other subsequent birth cohort generation, narcissism tends to increase. Narcissism generally is defined as possessing a highly positive and inflated concept about oneself, a strong need for others to admire you, having condescending attitudes towards others, fantasising about power and fame and lacking commitment in interpersonal relations (Raskin and Hall, 1979).

It is possible to break down narcissism into multiple groupings of factors and facets. In previous studies, that has been done to test the inventory`s strength. A three-factor model was developed by Ackermann (2011), which was made up of one emerging positive facet, authority and leadership and two maladaptive trait facets, entitlement/exploitativeness and exhibitionism/grandiose. Twenge (2008), suggests that the increased expression of particular narcissism correlates is beneficial to narcissistic individuals for lengths of time that are indefinitely sustainable while proving to be draining and damaging for the other people they closely interact with. Interpersonal relationships are the primary impairments to narcissistic functioning, and that is especially in the instances where the interpersonal relations are close. Agentic traits, increased self-esteem, assertiveness and extraversion are some of the positive correlates of narcissism. There were also significant differences between the generations in the levels of hypersensitive narcissism. According to the Post Hoc tests, Baby boomers are seen to show higher levels of narcissistic hypersensitivity (Erickson, 1959). Different stages in life could also serve to explain some other observed differences. For instance, when compared to Baby Boomers, Generation Yer`s are observed to be more affiliate. Most probably, such kind of a result comes from age-there is a high likelihood that Baby Boomers are at a stage of work where they required to work more independently as they take up positions that are senior within organisations. For them, the needs for socialising are less when compared to the socialising needs in employees who hold more junior ranks. The findings of this study reveal that Generation Yer`s also referred to as millennia’s have high levels of self-esteem. Most studies categorise these generations as having an undue sense of entitlement (Campbell, 2004). This is a generation where all kids get trophies, and failure is unheard of with no answers they present ever being wrong. When in their workplaces, people from this generation require to be praised now and then, and that has seen companies come up with different employee recognition schemes like the “Employee of the Week,” awards and the “Employee of the Year” programs (Gentile, Twenge and Campbell, 2015). The study further established that the levels of self-esteem went down with every previous generation. For example, for Baby Boomers, there are a lot of insecurities that revolve around their looks, and they are constantly referred to as the low self-esteem generation (Chaterjee, Finke and Harness, 2015).

Jeffrey Arnett, however, does not think that Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a measure of Narcissism (Quenqua, 2013). Drawing from the fact that there is a higher likelihood among the millennia`s to be tolerant to diversity and even volunteer, Arnett argues that these individuals are an exceptionally generous generation that is less narcissistic and that holds great promise for improvement of the world. The findings of this study, however, point out to the fact that the Generation Yer`s are the most narcissistic and have the tendency of being focused only on themselves and are not capable of appreciating the points of view of other people and circumstances. Such kind of a conclusion is based on the analysis of the study from a narcissistic personality inventory that was standardised whereby, respondents were tasked with scoring themselves against statements like “I think I am assertive.” When compared to individuals drawn from other generations, Generation yer`s are more narcissistic than individuals drawn from any different generations (Brown, Budzek and Tamborski, 2009). Generally, in line with the findings of this study, of the three generations, the most entitled is Generation Y. These are individuals who inherently hold the belief that they do not have to put in as many amounts of work and sacrifice as other individuals drawn from other generations. Such expectations have even been displayed in schools where students of the Generation Y have been seen to harass their lecturers to increase their marks for works that are generally moderate, while also holding the belief that their teachers have to do everything within their means to accommodate their overt demands. The parents of the individuals in this generation recognise their children`s achievements through supplying them with higher recognition and even gifting them. According to Lancaster and Stillman (2010), these Generation Yers consider themselves to be commodities that are desirable and that are worthy of special treatment whenever they go. While it can not be denied that the Generation Yers have a lot to offer, they tend expecting too much from promotions and perks. Their entitlement could be attributed to their having been raised in the self-esteem movement where praise is the order of the day.

Gaps in results

The results did not show some of the traits the three generations have in common. Future studies should look into the existing similarities between the generations.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that Generation yers are individuals who are complex who partly are social human beings but also partly self-centred. A study on the views of these millennials on society and their involvement in societal activities could help strengthen this argument and even explore it further (Howe and Strauss, 2000). And just like other generations, these Generation Yers have certain characteristics that are unique to them that which if harnessed and utilised effectively could benefit societies in numerous ways.

References

Erikson, E. H. (1959). Identity and the life cycle: Selected papers. New York: International Universities Press.

Howe, N. & Strauss, W. (2000). Millennials rising: The next great generation. New York, NY:

Trzesniewski, K. H., Donnellan, M. B. & Robins, R. W. (2008). Is “Generation Me” really more. Narcissistic than previous generations? Journal of Personality, 76(4), 903-918. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6494.2008.00508.x

Twenge, J. M., Konrath, S., Foster, J. D., Campbell, W. K. & Bushman, B. J. (2008). Egos inflating over time: A cross-temporal meta-analysis of the Narcissistic Personality 6494.2008.00507.x

Waldman, K. (2013). Are Millennials more narcissistic? Slate. Retrieved Jan. 30, 2014.

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