Features of decision-making by representatives of generations Y and Z in a digital environment

Abstract

Context and relevance. The decision-making process among younger generations is becoming increasingly complex under the influence of the digital environment, which is changing cognitive, emotional and behavioral selection mechanisms and intensifying intergenerational differences. Of particular interest is the comparison of representatives of generations Y and Z, who were formed in different sociohistorical conditions and have different experiences of digital socialization, which is important for understanding their behavior in education, work, consumption and online communications. Objective. To identify and describe the features of decision-making among representatives of generations Y and Z, taking into account cognitive styles, emotional regulation strategies, risk-taking propensity and the nature of interaction with the digital environment in the Russian socio-cultural context. Hypothesis. 1) representatives of generation Z are characterized by a more impulsive and emotionally determined decisionmaking style compared to generation Y; 2) representatives of generation Y are more inclined to rational analysis and decision planning; 3) the digital environment is a significant factor that enhances the emotional impact on the decision-making process and structures this process differently among representatives of generations Y and Z. Methods and materials. The study involved 186 people aged 18 to 44 years, assigned to generations Y (N = 95) and Z (N = 91), with approximately equal gender distribution. The following methods were used: the Melbourne Decision-making Questionnaire to evaluate styles (vigilance, avoidance, procrastination, over-vigilance), the questionnaire of emotional regulation by J. Gross (cognitive reappraisal, suppression of expression), A.G. Shmelev's risk-taking propensity scale and the author's questionnaire on interaction with the digital environment (digital dependence in decisions, digital emotional regulation, digital self-control, preference for digital social interaction, digital trust and literacy). Results. Generation Y demonstrated higher rates of vigilance and cognitive reappraisal, as well as more pronounced digital self-control and digital literacy, indicating a rational and analytical decision-making style. Generation Z showed significantly higher levels of procrastination, avoidance, hyper-vigilance, risk-taking, digital dependence in decision-making and the use of digital means for emotional regulation, as well as a preference for digital social interaction, reflecting a more impulsive and emotionally intense decision-making style in conditions of high reliance on the digital environment. Conclusions. It has been confirmed that representatives of generations Y and Z differ in cognitive styles, emotional regulation, risk-taking propensity, and ways to integrate the digital environment into the decision-making process, which makes it necessary to take into account generational characteristics in the practice of education, personnel management, and the development of digital services. When designing educational and organizational programs, it is recommended to rely on the more pronounced rationality and self-control of generation Y and at the same time take into account impulsivity, digital inclusion and the need for emotional support from the digital environment of generation Z.

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