relational communication preferences across three generations nancy cheever, communications...
TRANSCRIPT
Relational Communication Preferences Across Three
Generations
Nancy Cheever, Communications Department
L. Mark Carrier, Psychology Department
Larry Rosen, Psychology Department
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Introduction
Technological advances
have increased the use of
e-mail, text messaging,
and instant messaging,
especially among the
younger generations.
Introduction
Americans spend
more time on the computer
and using new modes of
communication than they
do using traditional forms of
media and engaging in
other daily tasks
Introduction
Scholars agree that traditional forms of communication—face to face and telephone—are rapidly declining among young people
Introduction
Have face to face
and other
synchronous
communication
modes become a
thing of the past?
Are there generational differences?
Introduction
How do the
preferred modes
change based
on levels of
depression and
shyness?
Purpose
• This study examines the preferred
communication methods and relational
differences among three generations
• Looks at how these differences relate to
levels of depression and shyness
Three Generations
– Net Generation Born 1980-1999
– Generation X Born 1965-
1979
– Baby Boomers Born 1946-1964
Method“Please indicate your preferred way of communicating
with each person listed below:”
– Parents
– Children
– Best friend
– Good friend
– Acquaintance
– Significant other
– Brother/sister
– Other relatives
– Teacher or boss
– Doctor/dentist
– Someone asking for help
with school or work
– Cousins
– Make a date
– Break a date
– Break up with someone
Method
• Measured shyness levels (online and F2F)
– Self-reported
– “When I communicate face to face I am”
– “When I communicate online in am”• From very shy to very outgoing
• Measured depression levels
– “I frequently feed sad or depressed”• Strongly agree to strongly disagree
Communication with SIGNIFICANT OTHER
Chi-square 87.08, p < .001
Communication with CHILDREN
Chi-square 23.78, p < .01
*Net Generation removed
Communication with PARENTS
Chi-square 92.93, p < .001
Communication with BEST FRIEND
Chi-square 99.70, p < .001
Communication with GOOD FRIEND
Chi-square 158.43, p < .001
Communication with ACQUAINTANCE
Chi-square 288.47; p < .001
Communication with DOCTOR/DENTIST
Chi-square 43.73; p < .001
Communication with TEACHER/BOSS
Chi-square 46.96, p < .001
Communication with MAKE A DATE
Chi-square 85.63, p < .001
Chi-square 86.80, p < .001
Communication with BREAK A DATE
SOMEONE ASKING FOR SCHOOL/WORK HELP
Chi-square 193.27, p < .001
Preferred communication methods by
SHYNESS LEVEL IN PERSON
__________________________________________________________
Relation In person Phone Technology (IM, E-mail, Text)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Significant other**
Shy 76% 14% 10%
Outgoing 83% 12% 5%
Children*
Shy 76% 21% 3%
Outgoing 85% 13% 3%
Best friend**
Shy 61% 24% 16%
Outgoing 65% 25% 10%
*p < .05; **p < .01
Preferred communication methods by
SHYNESS LEVEL IN PERSON
__________________________________________________________
Activity In person Phone Technology (IM, E-mail, Text)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Make a date*
Shy 37% 47% 17%
Outgoing 40% 50% 11%
Break a date*
Shy 25% 50% 26%
Outgoing 28% 55% 16%
Break up with someone**
Shy 64% 20% 14%
Outgoing 78% 14% 6%
*p < .05; **p < .01
Preferred communication methods by
SHYNESS LEVEL ONLINE
__________________________________________________________
Relation In person Phone Technology (IM, E-mail, Text)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acquaintance**
Shy 29% 40% 32%
Outgoing 21% 26% 54%
Teacher or boss**
Shy 49% 27% 24%
Outgoing 54% 13% 32%
*p < .05; **p < .01
Preferred communication methods by
SHYNESS LEVEL ONLINE
__________________________________________________________Activity In person Phone Technology (IM, E-mail, Text)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Break a date**
Shy 25% 63% 9%
Outgoing 26% 53% 21%
Break up with someone*
Shy 60% 30% 8%
Outgoing 75% 15% 8%
Someone asking for help with work or school**
Shy 41% 30% 27%
Outgoing 33% 32% 35%
**p < .01
Preferred communication methods by
DEPRESSION LEVEL
__________________________________________________________Relation/activity In person Phone Technology (IM, E-mail, Text)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Make a date**
Depressed 42% 47% 11%
Not depressed 30% 53% 17%
Relatives*
Depressed 54% 39% 5%
Not depressed 46% 47% 5%
*p < .05; **p < .01
Preferred communication methods by GENDER __________________________________________________________
Relation In person Phone IM Text E-mail________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acquaintance**
Male 28% 31% 8% 17% 17%
Female 20% 27% 8% 21% 24%
Cousins**
Male 48% 34% 2% 7% 7%
Female 39% 35% 4% 8% 13%
Good friend**
Male 53% 31% 3% 9% 5%
Female 43% 32% 5% 13% 7%
Relatives*
Male 56% 36% 1% 2% 3%
Female 49% 44% 1% 0% 4%*p < .05; **p < .01
Preferred communication methods by GENDER
__________________________________________________________
Activity In person Phone IM Text E-mail________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Make a date**
Male 28% 31% 8% 17% 17%
Female 20% 27% 8% 21% 24%
Break a date**
Male 34% 50% 1% 11% 3%
Female 23% 55% 3% 16% 4%
**p < .01
No. 1 Preferred method of communication N=1,319__________________________________________________________
Relation/activity No. 1 preference (%) _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Significant other In person (71%)
Parents In person (67%)
Brother/sister In person (58%)
Best friend In person (56%)
Break up with someone In person (56%)
Teacher/boss In person (51%)
Doctor/dentist Telephone (48%)
Good friend In person (46%)
Relatives In person (44%)
Break/make a date Telephone (43%/40%)
Acquaintance Telephone (25%)
Discussion
• In general, the No. 1 preferred method of communication is in person
• In general, people would prefer to communicate either in person or on the telephone
• The use of e-mail, text, and instant messaging is not the most preferred method of communication in any category
Discussion• As the relationship presumably gains more distance, the
preferred method of communication becomes more
technological
• As age categories increase, preference for face-to-face
communication decreases in almost all categories
• Baby Boomers prefer e-mail more than any other
generation (very few use instant messaging)
• Net generation prefers face to face more than any other
generation
Discussion
• No panic about technology “stealing” children away from synchronous communication modes
• Older adults may be too busy to use face-to-face communication methods
Discussion
• Asked their preferred method of communication NOT how they typically communicate
• People may prefer to communicate in person, but cannot because of their busy lives
• Technology makes it easier for people to stay connected
Thank You