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Taiwanese young adults' intergenerational communication schemas
Mei-Chen Lin1, Yan Bing Zhang, Jake Harwood
1School of Communication Studies, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44224-0001, USA. mlin@kent.edu
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology
|December 18, 2004
Summary
Young adults in Taiwan perceive communication with older adults through five distinct schemas, ranging from mutually satisfying to unpleasant interactions. These findings offer insights into intergenerational communication dynamics and cultural norms.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Gerontology
Background:
- Intergenerational communication is crucial for societal cohesion.
- Understanding cognitive representations of communication can illuminate relationship dynamics.
- Taiwanese cultural context may influence intergenerational interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate young adults' cognitive schemas of communication with older adults in Taiwan.
- To identify distinct patterns in intergenerational communication based on young adults' perceptions.
- To explore the influence of cultural norms on these communication schemas.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative content analysis of 41 Taiwanese college students' conversation descriptions with older adults.
- Application of schema theory to develop 11 coding dimensions.
- Hierarchical cluster analysis to identify communication schemas.
Main Results:
- Five intergenerational communication schemas were identified: Mutually satisfying, helping, mixed feelings, small talk, and mutually unpleasant.
- These schemas reflect diverse young adult perceptions of interactions with older adults.
- Findings highlight variations and similarities with previous research and cultural contexts.
Conclusions:
- Young adults' cognitive representations of intergenerational communication are multifaceted.
- Schema theory provides a useful framework for analyzing these interactions.
- Cultural norms in Taiwan shape the identified communication schemas and their characteristics.
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