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How Should We Study Generational ‘Changes’—Or Should We? A Critical Examination of the Evidence for ‘Generation Me’
Article first published online: 14 JUL 2009
DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00204.x
© 2009 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd
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How to Cite
Donnellan, M. B. and Trzesniewski, K. H. (2009), How Should We Study Generational ‘Changes’—Or Should We? A Critical Examination of the Evidence for ‘Generation Me’. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 3: 775–784. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2009.00204.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 23 SEP 2009
- Article first published online: 14 JUL 2009
- Abstract
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Abstract
In this essay, we discuss some of the issues that are involved when making inferences about birth cohorts and we describe some of our work that has caused us to question the strength of the evidence for so-called ‘Generation Me’ effects. In particular, we describe our analyses from the Monitoring the Future project using self-esteem and respond to criticisms of our work. At this point, we believe that there is insufficient evidence to support the conclusion that the personalities and self-beliefs of today’s young people are dramatically different from previous generations of American youth.