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Interpersonal Communication across Generations:

Generation X

Derrick Kelly

University of Kentucky

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Abstract

The paper examines interpersonal communication throughout the Generation X which spans

about fifth-teen years. Generation X represents the people born between the years of 1965 to

1980. Multiple research journals and articles connected to the interpersonal communication

across Generation X will be examined to form conclusions about the data presented in the

sources. In the review of literature there are three main points that will be examined. The first

will examine certain attributes of Generation X such as beliefs, household sizes, the way

members from this generation work together, and traits to see how it impacts their role in

interpersonal communication. Majority of Generation X grew up in a small household size which

causes them to be independent and creates distance in interpersonal relationships. The second

point will examine the attitudes of members from Generation X have toward technology when

used for interpersonal communication both then and now. The third point will examine the

interpersonal communication of Generation X people used in a workplace environment.

Furthermore, there will be indication on the understanding and future research of interpersonal

communication across Generation X.

Keywords: communication; generation x; interpersonal; relationships; and workplace

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Interpersonal Communication across Generations: Generation X

Generation X is the generation that follows the Baby Boomers and it represents people

born between the years of 1965 to 1980. Examining the ways in which two people communicate

in Generation X will help exhibit a better perception toward the evolution of interpersonal

communication as a whole. This literature review addresses the distinctiveness of interpersonal

communication across this particular generation. Experiences of people from Generation X are

more unique from any other generation which makes it more important to examine them.

Qualities and attributes received from being born in the age of Generation X causes an impact on

the interpersonal communication skills of the people. To examine this, this literature review

covers three main points: the distinctiveness of certain attributes of Generation X that impact

their interpersonal communication, the attitudes of Generation X toward technology used for

interpersonal communication back then and now, and the interpersonal communication of

Generation X people use in a workplace environment.

Distinct Attributes of Generation X

As of 2013, about 49 to 51 million people make up the population of Generation X, and

the people throughout the group is made up of various races. The distinctiveness of certain

attributes of Generation X like beliefs, household sizes, and the way they work together impacts

their role in interpersonal communication. According to Theilfoldt and Scheef (2004), “Divorce

and working moms created "latchkey" kids out of many in this generation. This led to traits of

independence, resilience and adaptability” (pg.1). Developing traits of independence, resilience,

and adaptability can impact interpersonal communication by giving the people of Generation X

unique ways of communicating or interacting with other people. Independence is adapted from

being home alone frequently and can lead to the people creating distance from communicating

with everyone else. Distance is a particular way of communicating non-verbal messages to

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people which is horrible for creating an identity through interpersonal communication. It is also

an uncommon way of interpersonal communication which makes it unique from all the other

interpersonal styles of communication in other generations.

Theilfoldt and Scheef (2004) states that interpersonal friendships involving two people

from Generation X are just seen as common friends to one another. Even though they are seen as

just friends to one another, they may disclose important information to that friend depending on

the closeness of the friendship. If we have someone close enough to disclose personal

information to them, we would consider them more as family than a friend (Theilfoldt and

Scheef, 2004). It is unique to see that people of Generation X draw a line between calling friends

family, but disclose personal information to friends as if they were family. The distinctiveness of

interpersonal communication in Generation X makes a big impact on their communication along

with their attitudes toward communication technology back then and now.

Attitudes toward Technology used for Interpersonal Communication

The attitudes of Generation X toward technology used for interpersonal communication

both in 1965-1980 and 2013 are similar because the people of this age are good at adapting to

most of the things that come their way. During the childhood of the people from Generation X

there was not much technology or other ways dedicated to mediated interpersonal

communication. As such, people were accustomed to mainly the telephone, face-to-face

conversation, and interpersonal messages through mailing a letter. Of these, face-to-face

communication was probably used the most by a child growing up in the Generation X. Growing

up with a limited amount of ways for interpersonal communication did not cause much of an

impact besides slowing down their process of communication. Klie (2012) states that as time

brings about new communication devices Generation X maintained a good grasp on the

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operative advantages and, the outcome of all this is the generation being exceptionally linked

together. In 2013, people of the age have adapted to new computer mediated technology like

smart phones, communication over the internet, video chat, email, and even more. Studies from

Klie (2012) show that smart phones play a more important role toward interpersonal

communication in the lives of Generation X than regular telephones did in their childhood.

E-mail was developed during the age of the Generation X, but it was not broadly used

until later. Strutton and Taylor (2011) suggested that interpersonal communication via texting

and social networks may be the general stream of communication in current days, but the people

of Generation X continue to stick with the email as their main option of computer mediated

communication. Although email is the superior choice for them, it is evident that they adapted to

using text and social networks to communicate interpersonally because so many other

generations communicate that way (Strutton and Taylor, 2011). Adaptability is a trait that the

people of Generation X grew up establishing, and we see that the trait benefited them as grew

older. The attitudes of Generation X toward computer mediated technology show the

distinctiveness of certain traits such as adaptability which can relate to their interpersonal

communication that the people of the age use in a workplace environment.

Interpersonal Communication in the Workplace

The interpersonal communication of Generation X people used in a workplace

environment is unparallel to all other work styles from other generations (Schoch, 2012). People

of this generation are more down to earth when it comes to communication between two people

in the workplace (Schoch, 2012). Schoch (2012) states that people of this generation do not favor

the leadership until they are persuaded by solid certification in their background. An

interpersonal relationship between a person from Generation X and their boss has to be

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significant in the degree of being straight forward about most things. Although we would think

that the independent people of this generation would like to have distance from more

companionable work yet, research shows that they like to be in an environment where there is

more interaction with others (Schoch, 2012).

Thielfoldt and Scheef (2004) suggest that Generation X looks forward to receiving

continuous feedback without delay and has no problem returning the favor of offering feedback

to others. Being able to give and return feedback to others is a good asset to have for

interpersonal communication in the work environment. It can help both workers understand each

other better in their interpersonal relationship as a two person team, and also it can create an

identity for each of them towards each other. Martin and Gentry (2011) further suggest that

people of Generation X do not have much concern about the safety of their job which leads to

their recognition of occupying positive aspects like independence, entrepreneurship, and

resilience. Interpersonal communication with someone of the Generation X at work may impel

one to see these aspects that form their style of communication.

Research Questions

This generation has qualities and attributes received from being born in the age of

Generation X that can cause an impact on the interpersonal communication skills of the people.

Three important traits such as adaptability, independence, and resilience have some negative and

positive effects on their communication skills. Those positive and negative effects help create an

identity that impacts their interpersonal communication. People of Generation X have no

problem with the steady changing of computer mediated technology because they seem to adapt

well to new things that come their way. Being able to adapt helps their interpersonal

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communication skills in the workplace and other places. Given the argument made above, the

following research question(s) is posed:

R1: What are the attitudes presented toward the evolution of computer mediated

technology by the people of Generation X?

R2: How has being born in the age impacted their role in interpersonal

communication throughout different relationships?

Implications

Qualities and attributes received from being born in the age of Generation X can

cause an impact on the interpersonal communication skills of the people. Mainly the textbook

makes a connection with the topic through computer mediated technology and interpersonal

communication creating an identity for people (Adler and Proctor, 2011). The transformation and

adaption to the evolution of computer mediated technology displayed through the life of

Generation X people growing up with different devices made for communication. Identities of

people from Generation X created through interpersonal communication will be impacted

because they represent that generation. Examining the ways of communication between two

people of Generation X will help exhibit a better perception about the evolution of interpersonal

communication.

Directions for future research

Future research should focus on how the media and events during the generation

impacted their interpersonal communication. The media played a big part in the lives of the

people of Generation X. Different ways of interpersonal communication presented in the media

should have impacted the skills of the people. An example would be someone using the

interpersonal communication skills they saw on a TV show to help shape the way they

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communicate with someone interpersonally. Research should be focus on this topic because it

seems interesting to know if people adopt certain things they see on TV.

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References

Klie, L. (2012). Gen X: Stuck in the Middle. (Cover story). CRM Magazine, 16(2), 24-29.

Martin, J., & Gentry, W. A. (2011). Derailment signs across generations: more in common than

expected. Psychologist-Manager Journal, 14(3), 177-195. doi:10.1080/10887156.2011.595973

Schoch, T. (2012). Turning the Ship Around with a Four-Generation Crew. (Cover

story). Information Management Journal,46(4), 25-29.

Strutton, D., Taylor, D. G., & Thompson, K. (2011). Investigating generational differences in e-

WOM behaviours. International Journal Of Advertising, 30(4), 559-586. doi:10.2501/IJA-30-4-

559-586

Thielfoldt, D., & Scheef, D. (2004). Generation X and the Millennials: What you need to know

about mentoring the new generations. Law Practice Today, 1-4.

Adler, R., & Proctor, R. (2011). Looking out, looking in: Com 252. Mason, OH: Cengage

Learning