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In-groups, out-groups, and their contrasting perceptions of values among generational cohorts of Australians
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

In-groups, out-groups, and their contrasting perceptions of values among generational cohorts of Australians

B. Heritage, L. Breen and L. Roberts
Australian Psychologist, Vol.51(3), pp.246-255
2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12114
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Abstract

Objective Personal values guide, and are used to justify, behaviours both within and beyond organisational contexts. Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y are purported to vary in the values they espouse and hence their behaviours. The aim of this research was to examine and compare self-ratings and out-group perceptions of the importance of the four overarching clusters of values in Schwartz's circumplex model by generation. Method A convenience sample of 157 participants (49 Baby Boomers, 47 Generation X, and 61 Generation Y) completed an online survey of self-rated values and perceptions of another generation's values. Results Multivariate analyses identified that self-ratings of self-enhancement, openness to change, and conservation value clusters varied between generations (medium effect size), but self-transcendence did not. Out-group perceptions of generations varied across all four value clusters (very large effect size). We then compared each generation's self-ratings of value importance with perceptions of value importance provided by other generations (in-group/out-group comparisons). There were significant variations between self-ratings and perceived importance ratings provided by other generations for all three generations (large effect). Conclusions Larger differences in other-ascribed than self-ascribed value importance across generations highlights the need to avoid actions based on generation value stereotypes, both within and beyond the workplace. Further research on a representative sample of the Australian population using a mixed-methods approach is recommended.

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Citation topics
6 Social Sciences
6.3 Management
6.3.48 Organizational Behavior
Web Of Science research areas
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
ESI research areas
Psychiatry/Psychology
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