5.2 Stages of racial and ethnic identity development

Racial and ethnic identity development is a complex journey that shapes how we see ourselves and interact with society. Models like Cross's Nigrescence and Phinney's Ethnic Identity Development help us understand this process across different groups.

These models outline stages from unawareness to exploration and integration of one's racial or ethnic identity. They highlight how personal experiences and social contexts influence our self-perception and relationships with others.

Racial Identity Development Models

Cross's Model of Nigrescence

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Top images from around the web for Cross's Model of Nigrescence

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  Frontiers | Racial Identity-Rooted Academic Motivation of First-Year African American Students ... View original

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  Frontiers | “When I Think of Black Girls, I Think of Opportunities”: Black Girls' Identity ... View original

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• Developed by William E. Cross Jr. in the 1970s to describe the process of Black identity development
• Consists of five stages: Pre-encounter, Encounter, Immersion-Emersion, Internalization, and Internalization-Commitment
• Emphasizes the importance of individuals' experiences and interactions with society in shaping their racial identity
• Recognizes that racial identity development is a continuous process that can be influenced by various factors (social, cultural, and historical contexts)

Phinney's Model of Ethnic Identity Development

• Developed by Jean S. Phinney to describe the process of ethnic identity development across various ethnic groups
• Consists of three stages: Unexamined Ethnic Identity, Ethnic Identity Search/Moratorium, and Ethnic Identity Achievement
• Focuses on the exploration and commitment to one's ethnic identity
• Emphasizes the importance of individuals' experiences, social interactions, and cultural contexts in shaping their ethnic identity
• Recognizes that ethnic identity development is a dynamic process that can change over time

Helms' White Racial Identity Development Model

• Developed by Janet E. Helms to describe the process of White racial identity development
• Consists of six stages: Contact, Disintegration, Reintegration, Pseudo-Independence, Immersion-Emersion, and Autonomy
• Focuses on the challenges and opportunities for growth that White individuals face as they become aware of their racial identity and privilege
• Emphasizes the importance of individuals' experiences, interactions, and exposure to diversity in shaping their White racial identity
• Recognizes that White racial identity development is a continuous process that requires ongoing self-reflection and commitment to anti-racism

Sue and Sue's Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model

• Developed by Derald Wing Sue and David Sue to describe the process of racial and cultural identity development across various racial and ethnic groups
• Consists of five stages: Conformity, Dissonance, Resistance and Immersion, Introspection, and Integrative Awareness
• Focuses on the challenges and opportunities for growth that individuals face as they navigate their racial and cultural identities in a diverse society
• Emphasizes the importance of individuals' experiences, social interactions, and cultural contexts in shaping their racial and cultural identities
• Recognizes that racial and cultural identity development is a dynamic process that can be influenced by various factors (social, cultural, and historical contexts)

Stages of Racial Identity Development

Pre-encounter Stage

• Characterized by a lack of awareness or denial of one's racial identity and the significance of race in society
• Individuals may internalize negative stereotypes and attitudes about their racial group
• May seek to assimilate into the dominant culture and distance themselves from their racial group
• Examples: A Black individual who believes that success is solely based on individual merit and hard work, dismissing the impact of systemic racism; an Asian American who seeks to conform to White cultural norms and downplays their Asian heritage

Encounter Stage

• Triggered by an event or series of events that challenge an individual's previously held beliefs about race and their racial identity
• Individuals begin to question their understanding of race and their place in society
• May experience feelings of confusion, anger, and dissonance as they grapple with new insights and perspectives
• Examples: A Latinx individual who experiences discrimination based on their accent and begins to question the "melting pot" narrative; a White individual who witnesses police brutality against a person of color and starts to recognize the reality of systemic racism

Immersion-Emersion Stage

• Characterized by a deep exploration and embrace of one's racial identity
• Individuals may immerse themselves in their racial group's culture, history, and traditions
• May experience a sense of pride and empowerment in their racial identity
• May also experience feelings of anger and resentment towards the dominant culture and its role in perpetuating racism
• Examples: A Native American individual who begins to learn their tribe's language and participate in cultural ceremonies; a Black individual who joins a Black student union and engages in activism to address racial injustice on campus

Internalization Stage

• Characterized by a more secure and integrated sense of racial identity
• Individuals develop a more nuanced understanding of their racial identity and its intersection with other aspects of their identity (gender, class, sexuality, etc.)
• May engage in efforts to challenge racism and promote social justice in their communities
• Examples: A multiracial individual who embraces the complexity of their racial identity and advocates for more inclusive and accurate representations of multiracial experiences; an Asian American who mentors younger Asian American students and works to dismantle the "model minority" myth

Integrative Awareness

• Characterized by a holistic understanding of one's racial identity and its relationship to other forms of oppression and privilege
• Individuals recognize the interconnectedness of various social justice issues and the need for solidarity and coalition-building across different communities
• May engage in ongoing self-reflection and commitment to anti-racism and social justice
• Examples: A White individual who actively works to dismantle White privilege and uses their platform to amplify the voices of people of color; a Latinx individual who advocates for immigration reform and recognizes the intersections between racism, xenophobia, and classism in shaping immigration policies