Generational differences in psychological traits and their impact on the workplace

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review data from 1.4 million people who completed personality, attitude, psychopathology, or behavior scales between the 1930s and the present and to discuss how those differences may impact today's workplace. Design/methodology/approach The data are gathered from research reports using psychological scales over the last eight decades, primarily those using college student samples. Findings Generation Me (sometimes called Gen Y or Millennials) demonstrates higher self‐esteem, narcissism, anxiety, and depression; lower need for social approval; more external locus of control; and women with more agentic traits. Practical implications Managers should expect to see more…