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 , 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 telephoneare 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 GenerationBorn –Generation XBorn –Baby BoomersBorn

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 , p <.001

Communication with ACQUAINTANCE Chi-square ; 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 , p <.001

Preferred communication methods by SHYNESS LEVEL IN PERSON __________________________________________________________ Relation In person Phone Technology (IM, , Text) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Significant other** Shy76% 14%10% Outgoing83% 12% 5% Children* Shy76% 21% 3% Outgoing85% 13% 3% Best friend** Shy61% 24%16% Outgoing65% 25%10% *p <.05; **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by SHYNESS LEVEL IN PERSON __________________________________________________________ Activity In person Phone Technology (IM, , Text) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Make a date* Shy37% 47%17% Outgoing40% 50%11% Break a date* Shy25% 50%26% Outgoing28% 55%16% Break up with someone** Shy64% 20%14% Outgoing78% 14% 6% *p <.05; **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by SHYNESS LEVEL ONLINE __________________________________________________________ Relation In person Phone Technology (IM, , Text) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Acquaintance** Shy29% 40%32% Outgoing21% 26%54% Teacher or boss** Shy49% 27%24% Outgoing54% 13%32% *p <.05; **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by SHYNESS LEVEL ONLINE __________________________________________________________ Activity In person Phone Technology (IM, , Text) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Break a date** Shy25% 63% 9% Outgoing26% 53%21% Break up with someone* Shy60% 30% 8% Outgoing75% 15% 8% Someone asking for help with work or school** Shy41% 30%27% Outgoing33% 32%35% **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by DEPRESSION LEVEL __________________________________________________________ Relation/activity In person Phone Technology (IM, , Text) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Make a date** Depressed42% 47%11% Not depressed30% 53%17% Relatives* Depressed54% 39%5% Not depressed46% 47%5% *p <.05; **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by GENDER __________________________________________________________ RelationIn person PhoneIMText ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Acquaintance** Male28% 31%8%17%17% Female20% 27%8%21%24% Cousins** Male48% 34%2%7%7% Female39% 35%4%8%13% Good friend** Male53% 31%3%9%5% Female43% 32%5%13%7% Relatives* Male56% 36%1%2%3% Female49% 44%1%0%4% *p <.05; **p <.01

Preferred communication methods by GENDER __________________________________________________________ ActivityIn person PhoneIMText ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Make a date** Male28% 31%8%17%17% Female20% 27%8%21%24% Break a date** Male34% 50%1%11%3% Female23% 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/sisterIn person (58%) Best friendIn person (56%) Break up with someoneIn person (56%) Teacher/bossIn person (51%) Doctor/dentistTelephone (48%) Good friendIn person (46%) RelativesIn person (44%) Break/make a dateTelephone (43%/40%) AcquaintanceTelephone (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 , 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 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

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