Lyudmila P. Karavaeva, Сand. Sci. (Psychology), associate professor at General and applied Psychology chair, Liberal Arts University – University for Humanities, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Tatyana V. Okuneva, senior lecturer at HR-Management and Sociology chair, Ural State University of Railway Transport, Yekaterinburg, Russia.

The paper investigated perceptions of successfulness and a successful man using several psychological and sociological techniques, which allowed the authors not only to define the content and characteristics of a successful man in the eyes of modern students but also to match the specifics of these perceptions’ realization through perceptions of an occupation and specialization, and from firsthand professional experience. To reveal the structure and substance of a successful man image as perceived by today’s technical students we used psychological methods. Sociological techniques helped us define actual behavior and the degree to which it matches the perceptions of successfulness and a successful man. The study disclosed several controversies in the existing image of a successful man and real behavioral practices. We also found the mismatch between working and non-working students relating to their behavioral activity and their perceptions of a successful man, attitudes towards the use of social capital and emotional qualities important for achieving success. The authors also identified a great role of material prosperity, being in the public eye and popularity as signs of social success. At the same time, the study demonstrated that students overestimate such features as interpersonal skills, ability to establish contacts, and underestimate professionalism, hard work, and ambition.

Karavaeva LP, Okuneva TV. A Successful Man as Perceived by Contemporary Students. In: Perelygina EB, Zotova OYu, Drozdova AV, Tarasova LV. (eds.) Wellbeing and Security in the Face of Social Transformations: Collection of academic papers from the 10th International Symposium (Yekaterinburg, July 9–10, 2019). Yekaterinburg: Liberal Arts University – University for Humanities; 2019. p. 106–116. Available from: doi:10.35853/LAU.WS.2019.SP11.

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