The degree of acculturation and success patterns in three generations of the Japanese Americans in the Portland area

Past research shows that Japanese Americans have been successful occupationally, financially and educationally. This thesis examines factors leading to this success. It is generally argued that the greater the congruence between minority and majority value systems, the less likely conflict would be generated in the minority group\u27s acculturation. There appear to be two opposed aspects in the acculturation of the Japanese Americans, relinquishment or retention of traditional Japanese values. Also important is the degree to which Japanese Americans identify themselves as American, or Japanese, or some mixture. This thesis focuses on the following questions: What types of values have been relinquished or retained? If some are retained and others relinquished, are those that are retained congruent with the American value system and those relinquished incongruent? What intergenerational and intragenerational differences are observable in the pattern of retention/relinquishment of traditional Japanese values? To what extent does ethnic identity affect success