Hypersensitivity of Two Age Groups of Generation Z to Social Issues
A. Del Mundo, M. Delos Reyes, A. Elefante, C. Lim, B. Priela, N. Tan
Quantitative Research, 2022
Abstract
This research, entitled, Hypersensitivity of Two Age Groups of Generation Z to Social Issues, was conducted in order to find out whether there was a difference in the “hypersensitivity” of two age groups within the same generation in regards to their online exposure to sensitive issues. This paper was inspired by the emerging online culture that is mostly being participated in and encouraged by those in Generation Z. It has been observed that members of this generation tend to react more when it comes to
sensitive issues but misuses current social movements and overuse the word “normalize” when presented with taboo topics. Due to this, the researchers had the intention to prove that age and intervention would sway the opinion of the participants, which would then be measured and interpreted later.
The “hypersensitivity” of both groups was measured through a survey that followed the Likert Scale. There were two groups per grade level, controlled and experimental for both. The experimental groups would undergo an intervention that was administered by the researchers. The intervention was in the form of popular social media platforms that would post regularly for a week. The posts included what some would consider “sensitive” due to the use of trigger warnings and tone indicators, but not anything disturbing for the safety and well-being of all participants.
The statistical test utilized by the researchers to gather and interpret data was the Mann-Whitney U test along with Spearson’s Correlation test. Analyzing the results per research question, the statistics showed no significant difference between the hypersensitivity of Grade 7 and Grade 11 students. The same result was consistent all throughout the analysis of the data. Along with this, the results for the intervention showed no significant difference in the response elicited from the controlled and experimental groups therefore, the intervention method was deemed to have no significant effects on the participants. After a thorough examination, the researchers conclude that there is no significant indication that either Grade 7 or Grade 11 groups are more hypersensitive than the other in the way they react and respond to sensitive issues. Further studies of this research would be beneficial to the community as it provides insights into the reactivity of younger generations, especially with the expanding growth and influence of social media on people.
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