Generational variety
February 4, 2020
According to psychologist Dan Philippe, technology and social media are the driving agents behind the growing generational differences.
“It certainly intensifies how social norms shift because you’re exposed to everything all at once and in a very intensified way,” Philippe said. “There is a very distinct dynamic that social media brings. That’s a very different experience for generations now, for younger generations.”
Lindenberg said there will always be generational differences in humor and interests.
“I would say that every generation has their own jargon and language and TV shows and media that might influence their humor, but some things seem to be consistent,” Lindenberg said.
According to Philippe, any major differences between generations are those based upon cultural norms.
“When I think about generational (differences), I am not inclined to think that it is something different about individuals in each generation, but what they are exposed to,” Philippe said. “There are differences in cultural norms, and there’s a greater acceptance of darker themes, as being acceptable to be open and to talk about.”
Lindenberg said she sees mixed responses to major events from her students, and those specific responses might be derived from what younger generations are shown on social media.
“There’s always a variety of responses within student populations, and it could be anything from discomfort to engaging with the issues,” Lindenberg said. “Being apathetic has always been the case, but with so much flashing in Gen-Z’s eyes in terms of media, it causes them to be more apathetic.”
Lindenberg said younger generations may be experiencing an overexposure to information, which inhibits their understanding of major events.
“I have a significant number of students that definitely keep up on current news and issues that are going on, but there is always a population that I try to reach that seems less empathetic or make light of certain situations that they may be less familiar with,” Lindenberg said. “I don’t know if that is a generational thing, but there may be some link to just being overloaded on information.”