Understanding the psychology of youths: Generation gap

The aim of this study is to understand the mind set of youths in relation to gender, college, and achievement levels. It is of essence, that counsellors, educators, parents and policy makers are able to uncover the factors that increase the gap between generations, so that they are can help them adjust to educational institutions, family system, work environment, and life in general. A sample of 310 students (male and female) was randomly selected from eight scientific and humanities colleges at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). A questionnaire of Sulaiman and Al-Muscati was used to measure the students’ perception of generation gap. The researchers found that: Personality characteristics, information level, technical information, life style, social norms and cultural values, work values, and ways of communication were the factors that contributed to generation gaps from the pilot qualitative study and quantitative studies. The reliability and validity of the instruments were high and suitable for implementation. The result of the study indicated a high generation gap between youths and their parents due to technological information, life style, and personality characteristics factors. Also, there was medium generation gap due to social norms and cultural values factors. However, there was low generation gap between youths and their parents in communication ways, and information level factors. The generation gap is higher between the male students and their parents than female students in social norms and cultural values, communication ways, and information levels factors. Also the result showed Science College students have a greater generation gap with their parents than Humanities College students on two factors: Personality characteristics and technological information. Moreover the result revealed differences among the three categories of achievers (medium achievers, average achievers, and low achievers). All the differences were in favour of the three categories based on life style. The study suggests adjustment and bridging of generation gap.   Key words: Psychology of young people, counselling, generation gap, gender, college, achievement, Oman.