It’s tough being a member of Generation Y. Selfish, materialistic and lazy are all words that seem to come to mind when people think of Generation Y. But, with new research – nobody can call us stupid. In “Cohort Differences in Verbal Ability: Testing the Word Obsolescence Hypothesis,” researchers Shawn Dorius, Duane Alwin and Juliana Pacheco presented their study to the American Sociological Association this past August. Using ten-item, multiple choice vocabulary tests called the General Social Survey, the researchers found that results rose from the GSS for those born after 1900, but declined for participants born after 1950. However, rather than stopping and proclaiming younger people as less intelligent than their elders, the researchers worked to seek explanations.
Via: WikiHow
Dorius, Alwin and Pacheco’s GSS explanation is twofold: Firstly, an increase in schooling, particularly for generations born between 1900 and 1950, caused a rise in test scores after 1900. Secondly, words go out of fashion and vocabulary changes. This means that younger generations would not perform well as well on vocabulary sections on academic tests because of the decline in use of those words, according to the Boston Review. “They’re not words I use in everyday life or hear,” 22-year-old University of Florida microbiology and cell science major Juri Na said in reference to vocabulary questions on the PCAT. The researchers proved their second point by tracking the commonality of words by using a program called the Google Ngram. The Ngram scans through millions of books to see how often, proportionately to all the words used, a word appeared in an American book in any particular year, according to the Boston Review.
Via: Sulekha
All things being equal, when the researchers accounted for the increase in schooling after 1900 and for the declining use of certain words after 1950, the intellectual differences between generations are minimal. The younger generations actually end up having higher scores of general vocabulary knowledge than older generations, according to Dorius, Alwin and Pacheco’s study. “The students that I have now – I think they’re about the same.” Mike Foley, University of Florida journalism department Master Lecturer said. “[They] still don’t know much of the basics of grammar, punctuation, and for the most part, even spelling.” Despite the results, after a decade of teaching and 30 years of working as an editor for the St. Petersburg Times, Foley still believes that students need to read more. He suggests the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and writings by Rick Bragg.
Via: Education for You
“Reading is a way to learn new words, to learn the rhythm of good writing and the poetry of it,” Foley said. So while it can’t hurt to take fewer selfies and read more pages, don’t let others define you and your generation as dumb. You’re a member of Generation of Y, and that’s something to be proud of.
Feature photo courtesy of: Generation Y
