Dialogism of generations Y and Z in online communication

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study comparing the ability for dialogic communication among representatives of generations Y and Z. The study identified the personal traits underlying dialogism in online communication, and proposed and measured a model of dialogism for these generations. Dialogism in online communication is understood as a construct that has a core and a periphery, which can differ qualitatively and quantitatively from one generation to another. As M. Bakhtin argued, dialogue determines the depth of communication, the durability of relationships, and the quality of interpersonal interaction. Communication is increasingly shifting to the online sphere, and psychologists and philologists note a decline in its quality, which may be associated with a reduced capacity for dialogic communication, making the study of this phenomenon especially relevant. The sample consisted of Russian university and vocational school students from Moscow, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, Saint Petersburg, and Blagoveshchensk, as well as young professionals who had recently graduated from universities and were beginning their careers. The analysis of Russian and international publications showed that dialogism is supported by such features as openness, altruistic and communicative meanings, emotional stability, prosocial behavior, and high levels of tolerance and empathy. Value–meaning orientation (individualistic or collectivistic) also plays an important role. Conversely, dialogism is hindered by low levels of openness, empathy, tolerance, altruistic and communicative meanings, and prosociality, as well as by such personality traits as depressiveness, neuroticism, emotional lability, and aggressiveness. A comparison of the scores of generations Y and Z revealed significant differences in most factors. It was concluded that the cores of dialogism in the two generations differ: representatives of generation Z with a collectivistic orientation and those of generation Y with an individualistic orientation displayed such elements as aggressiveness, neurotic traits, depressiveness, irritability, and emotional lability. The core of dialogism among collectivistically oriented millennials and individualistically oriented representatives of generation Z was represented by tolerance, certain types of prosocial behavior, and sociability. In both generations and orientations, altruistic and communicative meanings formed part of the core. The periphery of dialogism in all groups was represented by empathy and certain types of prosocial behavior.