THE CULTURAL MODEL OF SUCCESS IN THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY

Abstract This thesis examines how Lehigh students negotiate the cultural model of success, using a theoretical approach that combines cultural models, success, motivation, emotional well-being, education, and social reproduction. Ten interviews with Lehigh business school seniors were transcribed and imported into NVivo for coding and thematic content analysis where the data revealed a cultural model of success comprised of three features: financial gain, happiness, and personal goals. Subjects' education, family, and acceptance into dominant social groups all impacted the importance of each feature of the cultural model of success. The thesis concludes that unless individuals find true satisfaction with one's societal position, they will continuously struggle to negotiate the features of the cultural model.