Generational differences in interpersonal relationships strategies

Abstract

The article presents the results of recent research on the subject of “Gen-Xer‘s” (born in 1967-1984) and “Millennials’” (born in 1985-2000) interpersonal relationships. These names refer to modern Strauss-Howe generational theory. However, the study, described in this article, is based on socio-cultural approach to generation on the methodological level: the generation is understood as a quality-specific group of contemporaries, who share common social and historical experience, and have similar psychological traits such as values and attitudes. The pilot and the main phases of the study involved 62 participants aged 19 to 49 years. Using survey method, based on projective technique, and content-analysis of respondents’ answers we have proved the difference between generational interpretations of the cultural content in terms of cooperation and competition, and as a consequence, the difference between of interpersonal strategies of Generation X and Millennials at the significance level of 0.01. Also a contrast between generational interpersonal strategies has been demonstrated: Generation X is prone to use the competition strategy, and Millennials are prone to use the cooperation strategy. This result supports authors' theoretical model, which claims about the impact of social and historical events on generational values and attitudes. This theory assumes that people, born in different times and undergoing various significant historical events, acquire different values, which affect, in particular on the forming of interpersonal relationships’ strategy.