Generational Theory and Motivation | Report

RUNNING HEAD: GENERATIONAL THEORY AND MOTIVATION 0
GENERATIONAL
THEORY AND
MOTIVATION
Student’s Details-
JANUARY 23, 2020

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Introduction
According to Mannheim, generational theory is evolved due to the social phenomenon.
People are significantly influenced by the socio-cultural events that can cause the basis of
their experiences, youth and social cohorts that majorly affects the future generations (Li, et
al., 2013). Further, Strauss-Howe generational theory recognizes the generational cycles in
the American History given by William Strauss and Neil Howe which unfolds the new era in
every 20-22 years that determines the new climates in terms of new political and social
environment (Okros, 2020). The theory has different generations that explains the diverse
characteristics of people. Also, organization needs to determine the different types of
generations and their characteristics which are helpful in understanding their behaviours. This
can later help in motivating the people with the different generations within the workplace.
Here, the discussion is made on the generational theory and the people with the different
generations. The later section will discuss the characteristics of different generations and
application of the relevant motivational theory that can be helpful in the determination of the
people’s behaviours and the way these people can get motivated within the workplace.
Strauss-Howe Generational Theory
Strauss-Howe generational theory explains the recurring generation cycle that describes the
new generational personas that lasts around 20 to 22 years. It describes the cohorts which are
regarded as the generations. These generations possess the specific pattern of behaviour to be
determined in the history of United States of America. As per theory, 80 year is the fourth
turning point that damages and creates a new crisis that will determine the new social order
(CenSAMM, 2020). Strauss and Howe have been credited for giving the popular generation
theory to be introduced in 1990s. The theories have cultural resonance that determine the
cohorts of generations in the twentieth century. Further, the origin of theory of generation can
be seen from the perspective of Mannheim that explains the theory of generation as ‘Problem
of Generations’. According to Karl Mannheim, a generation is a social location that greatly
influences the social and cultural values being affected by the historical events (McCourt,
2012). It determines that people resemble themselves by the social and historical events of
their parents.
As Strauss and Howe generational theory explains the generational cycles and personas that
can be helpful in the identification of fundamental characteristics of each generation (ITS,

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2020). The cycles initiate with the optimistic period in which there is growth and propensity
is called ‘high. As the period of wealth and propensity turns, it enters into the social unrest
and there are fundamental questions regarding the morality and ethics which is ‘awakening’.
After this period, there is decline in the social values and is regarded as ‘unravelling’.
Further, there is major civilization level of period and is related with the term ‘crisis’. Strauss
and Howe had defined the four kind of generations such as baby boomers, generation X,
generation Y and generation Z.
Characteristics of Generations
Generational cohorts define the generations in terms of year of born that last for the duration
of 20 to 25 years which shows the different attitudes, ideas and beliefs as per their age, birth
period and common experiences that can cause the social and political events (Kowalski,
2019). Moreover, these characteristics will define their core values towards the money, job
and sexual behaviour.
Baby Boomers
Baby Boomers are born in between the 1946 to 1965 and have e significant contribution in
the aging population and are considered as part of prophet generation. They are people with
first encounter for the cultures and have the tendency for the freedom. Civil rights movement
is the example of baby boomers (Pendergast, 2009). People in this generation have lack of
energy and enthusiasm and are cynical and depressed. The baby boomer generation
approaches retirement and have the tendency be lack of social involvement. Further, people
in this generation have loss of social mission and thus have the major focus in the personal
objectives. Also, people have more involvement in the traditional values that makes the base
for their profession. These people are often seen as little tolerance over the social differences
and have professional values for the work ethics. Baby boomers believe in traditional ways of
doing things.
Generation X
These people are born between 1996 and 1980 in which the people lack the social skills with
their parents but have strong technical skills as the people are considered to be ‘digital
immigrants’. They invest their time and skills to acquire certain level of skills for getting
technical expertise. One of the major characteristics of Generation X is that they are
individualism and are self-reliant. This is often considered as depressed and pessimistic

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generation and are persistent under the nomad generation cycle (Kasasa, 2019). People
under this generation have social and spiritual agendas. Further, these people have the
tendency to be loyal towards the organization in which the people are comparatively more
tolerant in terms of social differences from the older generations. These people are expected
to be on the top of the organization in which they are more independent and have their career
into the organization. They are regarded as more socially liberal than baby boomers and they
want autonomy within the workplace. Most often, this generation is considered to be the first
generation that fully embraces the internet.
Generation Y or Millennial
Millennials are born between 1981 and 1994 during the period of economic growth and
having an influence of popular culture. People under this generation are pessimistic and have
the tendency to take positive action. These people are confident and multi-tasking abilities
with high energy and attitude. The people are technologically confident and their daily life is
digital based and have high level of social interactions. These people use their mobile phones
for getting information regarding the products, services, and getting education (Lissitsa &
Kol, 2019). The people are status seeking and have demonstration of wealth and purchasing
power. Millennials are civic and authoritative and is regarded as the generation in which
computers are completely embedded into all the specific areas. These people consider
themselves as special, team oriented and are achievers. These people are loyal to their
profession but have the tendency to leave their respective job when any financial crisis arise.
Generation Z
People of generation Z are born in 1995 and after. People are more educated, technological
advanced and consider themselves as innovative and seek for change into their life. This is
digital age and age of terrorism. This is the newest generation which is advanced and socially
active. These have still been dependent on their parents for spending and are considered to be
more influenced by the western values and have a major regard towards the social issues.
These people have the tendency to be indecisive and emotional in terms of making the
decision (Heyns & Kerr, 2018). This generation falls into the cycle of artist which means
that they are post-awakening elders. These people are aggressive but have the ability to bring
a positive change at the workplace due to the diverse abilities and skills.