Abstract
Success, as described in the preceding chapter, derives from three interrelated factors: (1) comparative ranking, (2) rewards, especially money, and (3) social status or prestige. Each component of success is valued by our society in and of itself. Winning or being at the top of one’s field is satisfying, providing ego gratification or self-pride. Money, according to folk wisdom and the Beatles, can buy virtually anything but love. And status or prestige is like verbal embraces, smiles, and applause all rolled into one positive feeling. In fact, the riches and fame inherent in success account for two-thirds of what Spinoza held was the “greatest good of all.” In many instances, success will also lead to the experience of the remaining element in Spinoza’s list, pleasure.
The things which ... are esteemed as the greatest good of all ... can be reduced to these three things: to wit, Riches, Fame, and Pleasure.
Spinoza
If I were a rich man ... The most important men in town would come to call on me ... They would ask me to advise them, like a Solomon the Wise ... Posing problems that would cross a Rabbi’s eyes! And it won’t make one bit of difference if I answer right or wrong ... when you’re rich they think you really know.
Tevye from Anatevka (Fiddler on the Roof)
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Goldsmith, B. “The Meaning of Celebrity,” The New York Times Magazine, December 4, 1983, p. 75.
Ibid.
Alpern, D. N., “Behind The Wheels,” Newsweek, October 8, 1984, p. 50.
“A Spunky Tycoon Turned Superstar,” Time Magazine, April 1,1985, p. 35.
“The Wings of Frank Borman,” Newsweek, November 12, 1984, p. 77.
“Iacocca: An Autobiography,” Newsweek, October 8, 1984, p. 70.
For a complete description of the “mere exposure” effect, see Rubin, Z., Liking and Loving: An Invitation to Social Psychology (New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973), pp. 113–134.
See Jones, E. E., and Gerard, H. B., Foundations of Social Psychology (New York: Wiley, 1967), pp. 272, 713.
Asch, S. E., “Forming Impressions of Personality,” Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1946, 41, 258–290.
See for example, Cronbach, L. J., “Processes Affecting Scores on ‘Understanding of Others’ and ‘Assumed Similarity,’ ” Psychological Bulletin, 1955, 52, 177–193.
“Palm Springs Dresses Down,” Newsweek, October 29, 1984, p. 104.
Korda, M., Success! (New York: Random House, 1977), p. 54.
See, for example, Holmes, T. H., and Masuda, M., “Life Changes and Illness Susceptibility,” Stressful Life Events: Their Nature and Effects, B. S. Dohrenwend and B. P. Dohrenwend, Eds. (New York: Wiley, 1974), pp. 45–72.
See, for example, Kanner, A. D., Coyne, J., Schaefer, C., and Lazarus, R., “Comparison of Two Modes of Stress Measurement: Daily Hassles and Uplifts Versus Major Life Events,” Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 1981, 4, 1–39.
“Occidental’s One-Man Show,” Newsweek, September 10, 1984, p. 57.
Ibid.
“Macho Men of Capitalism,” Newsweek, October 1, 1984, p. 58.
“Seven Who Succeeded,” Time Magazine, January 7, 1985, p. 42.
“America’s Power Couple,” Newsweek, October 31, 1983, p. 37.
Nelson, B., “How Does Power Affect the Powerful?” The New York Times, November 9, 1982, p. C3.
Nelson, B., “How Does Power Affect the Powerful?” The New York Times, November 9, 1982, p. C3.
Kissinger, H. A., from The New York Times, January 19,1971, quoted in Bartlett, J., Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, 15th and 125th Anniversary Edition (Boston: Little, Brown, 1982).
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Steven Berglas
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Berglas, S. (1986). Success. In: The Success Syndrome. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6303-1_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-6303-1_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-0-306-42349-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-6303-1
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive