Abstract
Two groups of 16‐year‐old school pupils from the years 1964 and 1992 are compared with regard to psychogenic needs structure measured by means of CMPS, a personality inventory. The questionnaire is intended to measure 11 of the psychogenic needs suggested by Murray. In comparison with the 1964 group the adolescents belonging to the 1992 group describe themselves as more aggressive, more aimed at achievement and keen competition, with a greater need to be at the centre of attention and a greater need for autonomy and independence but less need for order, rules and structure. Defense of status and the need to be taken care of in the girls increased more than in the boys while the need to help, nurse and take care of others is unchanged in the girls but has decreased in the boys. The changes in self‐descriptions correspond with observed changes rated by a group of persons with professional contact with adolescents. This correspondence is greater for the boys than for the girls. The results that are discussed with reference to current youth research support more than contradict the presumption that changes in society have given rise to a personality or socialisation type with increased strains of narcissism.
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