the impact of multitasking and media across generations symposium the impact of multitasking and...

The Impact of Multitasking and Media Across Generations

SYMPOSIUMThe Impact of Multitasking and Media on

Children and Adults

Western Psychological Association ConventionApril 11, 2008

Larry Rosen, Ph.D., L. Mark Carrier, Ph.D., Nancy A. Cheever, M.A., Jennifer C. Chang, Sandra Y. Benitez

California State University, Dominguez Hills


The Impact of Multitasking and Media on Children and Adults

Three Generations in the Workplace – Rosen

Text Messaging and English Literacy – Chang

Multitasking Across Generations – Carrier

Relational Communication Preferences – Cheever

Bilingualism & Text Messaging – Benitez


STUDY OVERVIEW• Online Anonymous Survey - September 2007• Issues Addressed:• Daily Technology Use• Multitasking Ease or Difficulty• Instant Messaging• Text Messaging• Cell Phone Use• Use of Textisms and English Literacy• Preferred Communication Modalities• Shyness and Honesty Online, Offline & Phone• Self Esteem and Depression


GROUPSAMPLE

SIZEMALES

FEMALESAsian Black White Latino/a

Net Generation(1980 +)Under 29

678 42% -- 58% 22% 17% 27% 35%

Generation X(1965-1979)

29 to 43 329 43% -- 57% 17% 22% 33% 28%

Baby Boomers(1946-1964)

44 to 62312 39% -- 61% 7% 21% 52% 21%

TOTAL SAMPLE 1,319 42%--58% 17% 19% 35% 30%

Sample Demographics


Welcome to the “Media” GenerationAccording to the Kaiser Family Foundation 2005 National Study

Children Spend 6 Hours and 21 Minutes PER DAY using digital media or 44 hours PER WEEK

Accounting for Multitasking, this increases to 8 Hours 33 Minutes PER DAY or 60 HOURS PER WEEK


WHAT ARE THEY DOING WITH THEIR MEDIA AND

HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT FROM OTHER

GENERATIONS?


PERCENTAGE OF THE THREE GENERATIONS WHO USE EACH TECHNOLOGY


TECHNOLOGYHOURS/DAY

NET GENERATION

GENERATION X BABY BOOMERS

Online 2:31 1:58 1:14

On Computer 2:08 2:32 1:41

E-Mail 1:26 1:37 1:14

IM/Chat 1:45 0:36 0:14

Telephone 2:02 1:47 1:38

Texting 2:20 1:07 0:28

Video Games 1:08 0:31 0:13

Music 3:33 2:35 1:44

Television 2:37 2:12 2:25

TOTAL DAILY TECHNOLOGY

USE20:38 14:55 7:51

HOURS OF DAILY TECHNOLOGY USE(only those who use each technology)


HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

Don’t these kids ever sleep?

Of course they do (although not enough).

The key is MULTITASKING


Multitasking With Free TimeNumber of Tasks

Net Generation Generation X Baby Boomers


Why Do They Multitask so Much?

One explanation is the rapid pace of technological change


Years to Reach 50 Million Users

The Pace of Technology Change is Dizzying

What’s Next?


Another possible explanation is a change in communication style and preferences

• Net Geners prefer asynchronous communication tools• They spend more hours texting than talking on the telephone (2:20 vs. 2:02)• They love to IM and Chat (1:45)• They spend hours on MySpace and Facebook (2:30 at a minimum)


OVERALL HOURS PER DAY USING ASYNCHRONOUS COMMUNICATION

TOOLS BY GENERATION(E-Mail, IM, Chat, Text Messaging)

Net Generation 5:31

Generation X 3:20

Baby Boomers 1:56

Look at How Much They Use These Asynchronous Tools


Plus, They Text Message Substantially More Than “Older” Generations

AVERAGE NUMBER OF TEXT MESSAGES PER MONTH BY

GENERATION(only for those who use text messaging)

Net Generation 511

Generation X 232

Baby Boomers 24


Overall the generations clearly differ in:

• The amount of technology they use on a daily basis

• The types of technology they use

• How much they multitask with these technologies


My Presentation Will Focus on How These Generational Differences Impact the Workplace Where Employees and Management Include Members of the

Net Generation, Generation X, and the Baby Boomer Generation


Assimilating and Accommodating Three Generations in the Technological Workplace

Larry D. Rosen, Ph.D.California State University,

Dominguez Hills


We are in the Midst of Three Vastly Different Generations That Differ on

Personal and Work Values

Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964)

Generation X (born 1965-1979)

Net Generation (born after 1979)


They Differ on Both Work Values and Personal Values


WORK VALUES: Baby BoomersSingle Lifetime Job

Fiercely Loyal to Company

Work is Life/Personally Fulfilling

Avoid Making Waves

Everyone has a Voice – Boss Sets the Rules

Team Player – Loves Meetings


WORK VALUES: Baby Boomers(continued)

Routines are Important

Process vs. Product

Face-to-Face or Telephone Communication

Learned Technology After School

Motivated by Being “Valued”


WORK VALUES: Generation X

Multiple Jobs to Find a “Career”

Self-Reliant: Set Own Time Plan

Work to Have More Fun in Life

Challenge Authority: Ask Why

Motivated by Rewards at the End of Every Project


WORK VALUES: Generation X(continued)

Grew Up With Technology

Prefer Cell Phone or E-Mail Communication

Want Immediate Access to Bosses

Good Multitaskers

Product vs. Process: They Hate Meetings


WORK VALUES: Net Generation

Build a Career Through Skill Acquisition

Balance Between Life and Work

Goal Oriented But Collegiality Important

Want Meaningful Work – Not Boredom

Motivated by Working with Bright/Creative People and Learning New Skills


WORK VALUES: Net Generation

(continued)

Need Constant, Instantaneous Feedback

Communicate via IM, Chat, Texting

Grew Up With Everything Technological

Multitaskers to the Nth Degree


PERSONAL VALUES Baby Boomers

Optimistic and Self-Confident

Beginnings of Fractured Family Structure

Politically Active

Buy Now, Pay Later


PERSONAL VALUESGeneration X

Skeptical and Low Trust of Authority

Latchkey Kids

Political Apathy

Monetarily Conservative: Save Save Save


PERSONAL VALUESNet Generation

Realistic World View – Trust Authority

Blended Families – Strong Family Bonds

Political and Community Action

Earn to Spend


Clearly these three generations are different on many

dimensions. These differences become issues to consider

when working in a workplace with people of all ages. Here are just a few of those issues:


• Process vs. Product• In-Person vs. Online Meetings• Communication Modalities• Work Schedules: Rigid vs. Flex• Motivational Tools• Reinforcements and Rewards• Collegiality• Work vs. Play (Time Off)• Career Expectations


And now Jennifer Chang will talk about the impact of

textisms on English literacy.

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