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1. Research assistant, Department of Psychology and Counseling Iran-mehr: The Institute for social study and
research, Tehran, Iran.
2. Corresponding author: Faculty member, Department of Psychology and Counseling Iran-mehr: The
Institute for social study and research, Tehran, Iran. Email: Dr.me.rostami@iranmehr.ac.ir
3. Faculty member, Department of Psychology and Counseling Iran-mehr: The Institute for social study and
research, Tehran, Iran.
4. Faculty member, Department of Psychology and Counseling Iran-mehr: The Institute for social study and
research, Tehran, Iran.
5. Professor, Department of counseling, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
Psychology of Woman Journal
2023, Volume 4, Issue 1, Pp. 1-16 eISSN: 2783-333X
Analyzing the causes and factors of the difference between the girls of the
generation Z and the previous generations in Iran from the perspective of
social psychology
Kamdin Parsakia1, Mehdi Rostami2*, Nadereh Saadati3, Seyed Ali Darbani4 & Shokouh
Navabinejad5
Abstract
Generation Z is a generation of teenagers and young people who were born and grew up
during the pandemic of social networks. This generation under the influence of these
technologies has many differences with previous generations. Therefore, the current
research aims to analyze the causes and factors of the difference between the generation
girls and the previous generations in Iran from the social psychology perspective. The
current research was qualitative research using grounded theory. For this purpose, a part
of the qualitative data from the existing research was used. In addition, in order to collect
data through semi-structured interviews, the population of this study was divided into two
categories. The first group were experts in this field and the second group was also formed
by Generation Z people of Tehran. Then, 6 experts and 23 teenagers were interviewed
using available sampling method and based on opinion saturation. From the analysis and
analysis of qualitative data, 3 selection codes, 9 core codes and 38 open codes were
obtained, divided into three core categories, 9 core categories and 38 components. It was
categorized. The results showed that the causes and factors of the difference between the
girls of the next generation and the previous generations are in three main categories: 1)
environmental causes, 2) cultural disjunction and 3) individual and internal factors are
replaced.
Keywords: Z generation girls, differences between generations, Iran, social psychology, causes and
factors
Cite this article as:
Parsakia, K., Rostami, M., Saadati, N., Darbani, S. A., & Navabinejad, Sh. (2023). Analyzing the
causes and factors of the difference between the girls of the generation Z and the previous generations
in Iran from the perspective of social psychology. JPW, 4(1): 1-16.
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee Iran-Mehr ISSR, Tehran, Iran. This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0
International (CC BY-NC 4.0 license) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)
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Introduction
People born from 1995 onwards are called
Generation Z (Mokry et al., 2016).
Generation Z is a generation of teenagers and
young people who were born and grew up
during the epidemic period of the spread of
social networks. Under the influence of these
technologies, this generation has many
differences from previous generations
(Merriman, 2015). Prensky (2001) called this
generation of today's youth digital natives;
Because they have never experienced life
without the Internet. This is one of the unique
characteristics of this generation because no
other generation has ever had easy access to
the Internet and other technologies from the
beginning of their lives (Prensky, 2001).
Mokry et al. (2016) believe this generation
has a very different perception of the world
due to its connection with technology since
birth (Mokry et al., 2016).
Measuring generational differences can be
both simple and challenging. In this regard,
there are two common methods. First,
generations can be compared cross-
sectionally on any variable in a single survey
study. For example, one variable can be
compared between generation Z society and
the generation of the 50s and 40s to identify
the intergenerational difference. Another
approach is an intertemporal comparison
using samples of people of different ages in
different periods. For example, he studied a
sample once between the ages of 15 and 20
and once between the ages of 40 and 45 to
identify generational differences (Campbell
et al., 2015). However, the challenge remains
to test the sources of generational differences
that underlie the generational differences
obtained using these approaches. These cases
can be affected by age, time period,
generational, and group factors. In fact, each
of the methods can yield some of these.
Therefore, both methods are necessary to
find accurate and comprehensive results
(Campbell et al., 2015).
There are three prominent models regarding
the generational change. The first model is
the circular model of Strauss and Howe
(1991). This model is based on the rotating
economic pattern called K waves or
economic seasons. In this pattern, economic
cycles become expensive or greedy,
overextended, and paradoxical or fearful.
Strauss and Howe (1991) believe that
generational changes also follow this pattern,
that this cycle starts from the old generations,
and the contradiction in the new generations
is created on this basis and continues in this
way (Campbell et al., 2015). The second
model is the modernization model, which
states that cultures move in a continuous
process of modernization in which
individualism, civic participation, and
tolerance increase (Inglehart & Welzel,
2005). This theory says that societies
develop in predictable stages with
generational progress in reaching
individualistic and homogeneous societies
(Campbell et al., 2015). The last model is a
model based on extrinsic individualism
(Twenge, Campbell, and Freeman, 2012).
This model predicts that generations will
move toward greater outward self-focus
(e.g., narcissism and materialism), lower
civic participation, lower trust, higher self-
expression, and less inward focus (e.g.,
finding philosophical meaning in life)
(Campbell et al., 2015). In this regard, the
study of Twenge, Campbell, and Freeman
(2012) showed that the current generation
has decreased in the variable of civic
participation compared to previous
generations (Twenge, Campbell, and
Freeman, 2012).
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According to Katz (1974), the changes that
occur in society are due to discontinuities,
differences and incompatibilities in the
social system, which can have internal or
external roots, which include: 1) a set of
internal conflicts in a society After that, there
is a conflict in the interests of social classes.
2) Competition of individuals and groups for
rewards in society. 3) Inconsistency in the
growth rate of different parts of the society
(such as subcultures) 4) Separation of
generations based on age in the social
context. 5) external environmental contracts
and conflicts such as various external
conflicts and cooperations (Katz, 1974).
Twenge, Campbell, and Freeman (2012)
consider the basis of generational differences
to be cultural differences. They believe that
when the culture changes, the socialization
of the young members of that society is
different and based on new and different
values compared to previous generations; So
that it can be said that the culture of each
generation is different from another
generation (Twenge, Campbell, and
Freeman, 2012), which means the value and
normative differences between generations.
One of the views of social psychology
regarding generational differences is the
"great gap”view. According to this view,
there are fundamental differences between
the new generation and the previous
generations; This means that there are
irreconcilable differences between the age
groups that characterize different
generations, and the force of these
differences leads to very rapid cultural
changes (Bangston, 1970).
Twenge and Donnelly (2016) investigated
generational differences in the reasons for
going to university in their research. Their
research showed that generation Z is more
influenced by external motivations and
factors, while the previous generations
entered the university more with internal
motivations (Towenge and Donnelly, 2016).
Therefore, generation Z is influenced by the
environment more than its previous
generations.
In the past, access to today's technologies
was only available to a particular class of
society. In contrast, today, even the lower
classes of society are economically able to
provide devices such as smartphones and
computers (Turner, 2015). As a result of this
and due to technological advancements,
generation Z has quickly adapted to it and
has experienced interaction and
communication with the whole world since
childhood (Turner, 2015). Turner (2015)
considers parents to be one of the factors that
play a major role in creating a gap between
the Z generation and older generations. He
believes that parents have accelerated the
process of the intergenerational gap by
providing facilities and early access to
technology for their children. So, the chance
of socializing in a way other than technology
has been limited for this generation. Also, he
admits that social networks and their use at a
young age have made the socialization and
adoption of values and norms of this
generation less affected by the society in
which they live (Turner, 2015).
One of the differences between Generation Z
and other generations is playing computer
games. Studies have shown that dopamine
released in the brain's limbic system of those
who play computer games is comparable to
the level of dopamine described in people
who consume amphetamine (Weinstein,
2010).
From a psychological point of view, the use
of technology in Generation Z has caused
them to lose the opportunity to learn healthy
coping skills. As a result, they have a lower
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ability to face obstacles than previous
generations (Turner, 2015).
In addition, the possibility of instant pleasure
and reaching pleasure at any moment
through technology and the Internet has
made them spend less time than the previous
generation to sit and think and reflect on
complex issues. Therefore, this generation
has less ability to think deeply and focus on
important issues and they feel less need and
necessity for it (Turkle, 2011).
The high volume of technology consumption
has the potential to disrupt neurological
development. For example, empirical
evidence shows that watching 1 to 3 hours of
television (or movies and series) per day is
associated with a high risk of attention
problems at the age of 7 years (Steyer, 2012).
Also, Steyer (2012) showed that the
cognitive parts of this generation that drive
impulsivity are constantly being
neurologically stimulated through the
bombardment of text messages, computer
games, and cell phone notifications. Also,
the possibility of reaching any answer
through search engines in just a few seconds
has changed the way this generation focuses,
writes and reacts (Steyer, 2012).
In relation to smartphones, it can be said that
this technology has made it possible to meet
the needs that were previously met with
several special devices, now in the form of
one device and in a more advanced way. This
way of meeting needs has made this
generation more dependent on mobile
phones than others, so it has become a device
with which "everyone can work". While this
is not the case for the past generations, they
see the mobile phone as a device that can
solve only a part of their needs (Turner,
2015; Palley, 2012).
Also, in relation to the Internet, research
shows that Generation Z feels emotionally
dependent on the Internet, and the link that
exists between this generation and
technology is emotional dependence
(Turner, 2015). Generation Z has easy access
to all kinds of content, including
pornographic content, violence, self-harm,
how to make weapons, etc., and this has
made people much younger than in the past
get information about this (Turner, 2015).
Also, due to the advancement of technology,
face-to-face communication has decreased
significantly, and generation Z has gotten
used to this way of communication from the
beginning; it has led to an increase in
individualism and a decrease in group
activities. (Rainie and Wellman, 2012).
Research has also shown that this leads to
disruption in the development of
communication skills in children of this
generation (Turner, 2015).
Media and communication explosion have
contributed to increasing multiple activities
simultaneously instead of focusing on one
activity. As a result, instead of focusing on
one thing, people are constantly able to focus
incompletely on several subjects. One of the
negative results of this phenomenon can
cause people to be practically not involved in
anything and do nothing and only try to
follow everything while doing nothing,
which is a very stressful and inefficient
process (Firat, 2013). Also, one of the
phenomena this generation faces has been
called "absent presence". This term means
that a person is present in a place while his
social attention and communication focus is
not related to that place and is somewhere
else (Rainie & Wellman, 2012).
According to the said content, it is important
to consider culture in intergenerational
differences. Since there is a lack of research
in identifying the factors and causes of
differences between generations in Iran, and
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the studies conducted, have often only
considered its sociological aspects, in
addition to the fact that such a study is
necessary for every society and has
undeniable importance. The purpose of the
current research was to analyze the causes
and factors of the difference between the
girls of generation Z and the previous
generations in Iran from the perspective of
social psychology.
Method
The current research was qualitative research
in which the grounded theory was used.
Semi-structured interviews and library
studies were used to collect qualitative data.
For this purpose, a part of the qualitative data
from the existing research background, from
the articles and books available internally
(such as MAGIRAN, Noormags, SID and
CIVILICA) and foreign (such as Google
scholar, Pubmed, Sciencedirect, etc.)
databases and citations were used. In order to
collect data through interviews, the statistical
population of this study was divided into two
categories. The first group was the specialists
and experts of this field, and Generation Z of
Tehran formed the second group. The
available method was used for sampling. The
interviews were first conducted with the
generation Z sample, and the sample size was
determined based on theoretical saturation.
Based on this, the sample size of generation
Z was determined to be 23 people. Then
interviews were conducted with professors
of psychology and sociology, which ended
after 6 interviews based on theoretical
saturation. It should be noted that 10
professors and experts confirmed the face
and content validity of the interview
questions.
Materials
1. Semi-structured interview. One of the
data collection tools in qualitative research is
the interview. The semi-structured interview
includes open questions about the research
topic. In a semi-structured interview,
questions are included with a focus on the
topic to be covered, and the interview
process and answers are different for each
individual. This tool provides the possibility
to contact the interviewee, and with its help,
one can understand the in-depth evaluation
of the interviewees' perceptions, attitudes,
and opinions.
Findings
In order to analyze qualitative data using
grounded theory, coding was done in three
stages: open coding, central coding and
selective coding. All mentioned categories
and concepts were examined in the open
coding stage and no core or core categories
were analyzed. In the following, the process
of open coding was such that after examining
the qualitative data, tagging expressions,
concepts and keywords was done in order to
extract categories. Axial coding is done to
categorize the categories. This stage aims to
establish a relationship between the
categories extracted from the open coding
stage. After extracting the core categories,
selective coding is used to extract core or
main categories. The following table reports
the categories extracted through open
coding, axial coding and selective coding.
Table 1. Open, axial and selective coding of qualitative data
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M
Generation
disjunction
L
I
I
P
Affectability
Thoughts,
Sexist
According to the above table, from the
qualitative data analysis, 3 selective codes, 9
central codes and 38 open codes were
obtained, which were categorized into three
core categories, 9 central categories and 38
components as described below.
The core category of "underlying causes"
After the end of the coding process, the first
core category was contextual causes. This
category refers to the factors that have
prepared the conditions and platform for the
emergence of inter-generational differences.
Data analysis based on axial coding shows
that the core category of underlying causes
includes three core categories: 1) technology,
2) media, and 3) socio-cultural factors.
The core category of "technology”from the
core category of "background causes"
Axial coding showed that the core category
of technology is placed in the core category
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of background causes; This means that
technology can provide a platform for the
formation of intergenerational differences.
Also, based on open coding, this central
category includes 5 components, which are:
1) exposure to technology from birth 2) ease
of communication with the whole world 3)
easy access to a wide range of information 4)
high social contagion of Through technology
5) receiving information from various
sources instead of reliable sources.
Exposure to technology from birth
This component was proposed based on the
background of the research, which was also
mentioned in some interviews. As it was
mentioned in the introduction, one of the
aspects of distinguishing generation Z from
the previous generations is that they do not
experience life without technology. This
issue creates a major difference between the
context in which the Z generation grows and
the context in which the previous generations
grew up. In other words, since people are
influenced by the environment in their
growth process, this issue causes undeniable
and unavoidable effects on the next
generation.
Ease of communication with the whole world
One of the components that was achieved
according to open coding was the ease of
communication with the whole world. This
component shows that one of the underlying
causes that caused the difference between
generation Z girls and women of previous
generations is the advancement of
technology and the ability to make easy
contact with all the people of the world. This
component shows that Generation Z deals
with cultural exchanges in relation to
different people from an early age. Due to the
fact that this happens in the socialization
process of generation Z, it can be mentioned
as one of the underlying causes that caused
intergenerational differences.
Easy access to a wide range of information
Since childhood, generation Z has access to
data that previous generations could not
easily access. For example, as mentioned in
the introduction, this generation can get
information about anything through the
Internet. Having this information can be
considered as a component of the underlying
causes of differences between contexts that
happen at the same time as acquiring values
and norms and internalizing them. Since
generation Z acquires this information
especially at the age of puberty and
intellectual development, it is certainly
influential in the formation of his personality
and leads to the emergence of inter-
generational differences.
High social contagion through technology
This component was extracted based on the
theory of social contagion and was also
mentioned in the interview of one of the
experts. Technology, especially social
networks and messengers, is a new platform
where social contagion can take place.
Getting information from various sources
instead of reliable sources
In the past, the main source of scientific
information was authentic books and articles,
but today, various data are provided on the
internet, many of which are unreal or
distorted. In addition, access to this
information is very easy, and this ease makes
the new generation get their information
from different sources instead of reliable
sources. This phenomenon, which was
created due to the existence of technology,
causes a conflict between the information of
the z generation and the previous
generations. In other words, receiving
information from various sources instead of
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reliable sources causes inter-generational
differences.
The central category of "media”from the
main category of "background causes"
The media can be considered as one of the
underlying causes because the quality and
quantity of the media and their influence on
the people have changed compared to the
past. This central category includes five
components as follows: 1) information
bombardment 2) video games 3) audio, video
and text media 4) news media 5) social
networks and messengers.
Information bombardment
The huge amount of media has caused
information bombardment, so that people are
exposed to the data broadcast by the media
during the day whether they like it or not. In
addition, generation z themselves are more
exposed to multiple media. Therefore, more
than others are affected by this information
bombardment. In addition, this phenomenon
has an indirect effect on generation z, so that
it disturbs people's senses and concentration.
It also takes away the opportunity to verify
this information from people. Considering
that generation z is more exposed to
information bombardment and that the age of
this generation requires higher
impressionability, information bombardment
can be seen as one of the underlying
conditions for generational differences.
Video games
Video games were found in both the
interviews and background research. Based
on the interviews, the content of video games
directly affects the personality and cognition
of children and adolescents, which the
analysis based on the central coding placed it
in the central category of media from the
main category of underlying causes.
Audio, video and text media
Audio, video and text media are the core
components of the core category of media.
Part of the use of these media can be seen in
all generations, but generation z is different
in both the amount of use and the variety of
its use. It should be noted that the content of
these media is also related to values and
norms, and this can be effective in the growth
of generation z. Therefore, it can be
mentioned as one of the underlying causes.
News media
The news media has an impact on the lives of
all people by publishing sometimes
contradictory information. The difference
between this generation and the previous
generation is that generation z follows all
kinds of news media from different cultures
and countries since childhood, which is
influential in the socialization of this
generation. Therefore, news media can be
considered as one of the underlying causes of
inter-generational differences.
Social networks and messengers
Social networks and messengers as media
have a prominent role in the life of
generation z. These people can easily
exchange their information and culture in
this way and get to know different cultures
from a young age. This itself leads to
generational differences as a background
cause.
The socio-cultural core category of the core
category "background causes"
This central category, as a category of
background causes, refers to cultural and
social factors that have provided the
conditions and platform for generational
differences. Axial and open coding finally
yields 6 components of this category, which
are: 1) lack of adoption and internalization of
values through previous generations 2) lack
of socialization based on Iranian values and
norms 3) existence of specific subcultures
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generation z 4) feminist movements 5)
cultural influence 6) influence and low
involvement of parents in children's
socialization.
Failure to adopt and internalize values
through previous generations
This component shows that the z generation
does not take its values from its past
generations. This factor causes cultural and
especially value differences between the z
generation and other generations. Therefore,
it is mentioned as a component of socio-
cultural background causes.
The existence of subcultures specific to the z
generation
The developments in the world have made
the z generation capable of creating wide and
diverse subcultures. Since becoming a
member of these subcultures has a direct
effect on the formation of personality and
socialization of people in the z generation, it
is one of the underlying causes of
intergenerational differences.
Feminist movements
The interviewees mentioned the spread of
feminist movements as one of the factors that
make Iran's generation z girls different from
other generations. The ideas presented by
these movements are generally extreme and
are in conflict with the culture of Iranian
society and past generations. Nevertheless,
generation z has been influenced by these
ideas and feminist movements are one of the
underlying socio-cultural causes of inter-
generational differences.
Cultural influence
Cultural influence is one of the issues that
developing countries like Iran are dealing
with. This issue especially targets the current
generation, i.e. Generation z, and
considering the existing and powerful tools
for exerting cultural influence, it can be
considered as one of the underlying causes of
intergenerational differences.
Low influence and involvement of parents in
children's socialization
Based on the qualitative data obtained from
the interviews, after coding and analyzing
the data, it can be seen that parents are less
involved in the socialization process of
generation z than in the past. On the other
hand, the family is one of the most important
institutions for children's socialization, and
weakness in this institution leads to
intergenerational differences. In addition to
the parents, this weakness is also rooted in
the children's attitude towards the family.
The nuclear category of “generational
disjunction "
Disjunction was a concept that was obtained
in this research after the coding process. In
other words, generational disjunction as a
main category in the factors of generational
differences states that the different behaviors
and the different society that makes the two
generations different on the surface, if it
creates a separation and break between the
generations, it can lead to the occurrence of
much deeper gaps and differences. Be made
in other words, “generational disjunction
“expresses how the differences themselves
can create and strengthen intergenerational
differences. On the other hand, generational
disjunction refers to the fact that the
members of the z generation are separated
from the previous generations, causing
differences and other differences. In this
research, axial coding showed that the core
category of “generational disjunction
“consists of three core categories, which are:
1) verbal, 2) lifestyle, 3) socio-cultural.
The core category of "verbal”from the core
category of “generational disjunction "
The verbal category expresses that linguistic
and verbal differences between generations
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are one of the factors that cause
intergenerational differences. This central
category includes 3 components: 1) lack of
mutual verbal understanding between
generations 2) use of different literature and
vocabulary compared to previous
generations 3) use of new intangible
vocabulary for previous generations.
Lack of intergenerational mutual verbal
understanding
This component indicates that the lack of
mutual verbal understanding causes distance
between members of generation z and other
generations. This distance and separation
weakens the power of cultural transmission
from the previous generation to the new
generation. Therefore, the lack of mutual
verbal understanding is a factor that validates
the cross-cultural difference.
Using different literature and vocabulary
compared to previous generations
When a generation uses different literature
and vocabulary, it gradually distances itself
from society and other generations and
moves towards isolation. In addition, the
members of the generation have the ability to
communicate better with each other, and this
distance increases until it reaches high levels
of generational disjunction. Finally, it is in
this way that the use of different literature
and vocabulary creates profound
intergenerational differences.
Using new intangible vocabulary for
previous generations
Generation z creates new vocabulary on a
daily basis that is made by this generation
and is popular in social groups and
subcultures specific to this. This daily and
constant use of such words and terms makes
this generation separated from others and can
hardly communicate with others outside of
themselves. Therefore, this component
causes more cultural differences to emerge.
The central category of "lifestyle”from the
core category of “generational disjunction "
Lifestyle as a central category of generational
disjunction means that having a different
lifestyle can cause separation and create a
gap between generations. In this way, the
differences between generations also
increase. Qualitative data analysis showed
that this category consists of the following
components: 1) trend towards western
lifestyle 2) technology-based lifestyle 3)
change in sources of pleasure.
Orientation to western lifestyle
Generation z in Iran is influenced by the
western culture and has become oriented
towards the western lifestyle. In this regard,
the adoption of such a lifestyle has increased
the distance between this generation and the
previous generations, and this distance has
led to being less exposed to their culture. In
this way, the western lifestyle causes
generational differences by creating
disjunction.
Technology-based lifestyle
Everyday use and dependence on technology
in life has made the lifestyle of generation z
intertwined with technology. This tension
pushes them more towards the virtual world
and separates them from society. This
separation and distancing from the society
directly affects the socialization of the next
generation and causes generational
differences.
Change in sources of pleasure and
entertainment
Generation z has very different
entertainments from previous generations
and their sources of pleasure are also
different. These changes in entertainment
and sources of pleasure are only possible
with other members of this generation and
earlier generations are less involved. This
phenomenon leads to the separation of
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generation z from the society and other
generations, which ultimately causes more
generational differences.
The core category of "socio-cultural”from
the core category of “generational
disjunction "
The socio-cultural category as a central
category of generational disjunction
expresses the social and cultural components
that separate this generation from the others
and thus caused intergenerational
differences. This central category consists of
the following two components: 1) isolated
groups and subcultures 2) group and
intergenerational communication in isolation
from society.
Isolated groups and subcultures
The existence of groups and subcultures that
continue to work without the need to
communicate with members of other
generations and other people in society and
fulfills the social needs of this generation.
This phenomenon causes this generation to
distance itself more and more from the
society, and as it was said, this disjunction
reduces the possibility of being influenced by
the previous generations. Therefore, it causes
more generational differences.
Group and intergenerational communication
in isolation from society
This component is related to the previous
component. The existence of such groups
creates connections within a generation that
intensify this interaction of cultural
exchange. These cultural exchanges, taking
into account technology and the ease of
communication regardless of location, make
this generation more similar to each other
around the world and become more distant
from others. So that it can be said that the
culture of this generation is very similar in
the world and the culture of the country they
live in has had less impact on them than intra-
generational cultural exchange.
The main category of "individual and
internal factors"
The analysis of qualitative data and a look at
the background of the research indicated that
the differences between generations can be
rooted in the individual and internal factors
of the members of this generation. The
extracted core categories of this core
category are: 1) personality and behavior 2)
psychological 3) thoughts, attitude and
beliefs (cognitive).
The core category of "personality and
behavior”from the core category of
"individual and internal factors"
The category of personality and behavior
expresses the dimensions and characteristics
of personality and behavior of the generation
that causes cultural and social differences
between generations. This category consists
of 4 components, which are: 1) impulsivity
2) independence 3) low self-regulation 4)
low social participation.
Impulsiveness
The background of the research and
interviews indicated that one of the factors
that make the culture of this generation
different from others is their high
impulsiveness. This feature causes impulsive
reactions and decisions throughout life,
especially during puberty. In addition, this
feature can be influential in important
decisions.
Independence
Generation z's independence has made them
want to be different from other generations
more. Therefore, it can increase generational
differences.
Low self-regulation
Low self-regulation was expressed as a
characteristic of this generation in the
interviews, which can be a factor in the
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Analyzing the causes and factors of the difference between the girls of the generation Z and the previous 12
Psychology of Woman Quarterly2023Volume 4/Issue 1
cultural differences between generation z
and other generations. When self-regulation
is low, an obstacle is created in the process
of internalizing values and socialization,
which itself can lead to more generational
differences.
Low social participation
Low social participation due to the fact that
Iran is a collectivist society causes more
differences in intergenerational values and
norms.
The core category of "psychological” from
the core category of "individual and internal"
The central category of psychological factors
indicates the psychological characteristics of
generation z, which leads to cultural
differences between generations. This
category consists of the following 3
components: 1) external motivation 2) low
self-awareness towards values and personal
identity 3) high affectability.
External motivation
The research background and the qualitative
data obtained from the interviews showed
that the motivations of generation z are more
external than internal. This is while the
sources of motivation of the previous
generations were more internal. On the other
hand, external motivations are not only from
the surrounding physical environment, and
the advancement of technology has made it
go beyond the country's borders and culture.
In this way, external motivation can create
cultural differences between generations.
Low self-awareness towards values and
personal identity
Qualitative data indicated that this generation
has low self-awareness regarding values and
personal identity. In this way, this lack of
awareness directly affects the value system
and causes cultural differences between
generations.
High affectability
High affectability was considered as a
psychological component based on the
coding done. Due to the bombardment of
information and the existence of the media as
well as widespread communication, this
influence can cause more and more cultural
differences between the z generation and
other generations.
The core category of "thoughts, attitude and
beliefs (cognitive)” from the core category of
"individual and internal"
This central category, which includes
individual cognitive factors, expresses the
thinking, attitude and beliefs of the next
generation, which leads to the emergence of
cultural differences between generations.
The components of this central category are:
1) being empty of meaning and nihilism 2)
thinking on the surface and not going deep 3)
negative attitude towards any tradition, value
and norms of tradition 4) gender attitude 5)
attitude and bias towards marriage.
Being empty of meaning and absurdity
As mentioned in the introduction, this
generation has distanced itself from giving
meaning to life and is moving towards
nihilism, which is a factor in the cultural
differences between generations.
Superficial thinking and not going deep
One of the characteristics of this generation
in the background of research and interviews
was superficial thinking and not going deep
in philosophical issues and important life
issues. This feature gives the individual the
opportunity to carefully analyze issues
before internalizing anything and
acknowledges cultural differences.