Emergent and Contemporary Life Styles: An Inter-generational Issue

Abstract

In order to explore the diverse and emerging patterns of life styles within our social milieu, the beliefs, values, and preferences of a heterogeneous sample of 1 154 men and women were factor analyzed. Derived life styles were then related to various biographic and demographic data. Three life style dimensions emerged: (1) The formalistic life style which places a heavy reliance on higher authority, law and order, precedent, and advancement as a criterion of success. The formalistic is older, higher in men than women, typical of sales, business, and technical occupations, and greatest in the Protestant religions. (2) The sociocentric life style which looks to close intimate relationships for guidance and direction. The sociocentric shows a drop with age until 25 years and then a rise, is most typical of the social service and science occupations, and is higher in women than men. (3) The personalistic life style which looks to himself for guidance and direction, and places a high value on his personal freedom to decide how he wants to live and act. The personalistic declines steadily from the teens to the mid 50's, is lowest among those with a master's degree, is typical of those in the arts, entertainment, cultural and student occupations, is higher in women than men, and is characteristic of Jews and agnostics. Inferences are drawn concerning intergenerational issues, cultural change, and organization structures of the future. The study focuses both upon youth as a pacesetter for cultural change, and upon cultural norms as influencing life styles.

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