Prepared by Yolanda Abel, Ed.D. January 2008 Reference: Mio, J.S., Barker-Hackett, L., and Tumambing, J. (2006). Multicultural psychology: Understanding our diverse communities. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Racial Identity Development African American Identity Development Nigrescence (Process of Becoming Black) Cross, 1971 Pre-Encounter: devalue Blackness and value Whiteness Encounter: something happens that forces you to recognize your Blackness Immersion-Emersion: search and surround with information/symbols of Blackness Internalization: balance of Blackness with other aspects of self and larger world

Racial Identity Development White/European American Identity Development Helms, 1984, 1990, 1995b, status; racist to nonracist Contact: unaware and uninformed about racism, discrimination, prejudice, and privilege White is superior; Minority is inferior Racial and Cultural differences do not matter Disintegration: Interaction with People of Color may lead to cognitive dissonance (experiences different from beliefs)

Racial Identity Development Disintegration: may cause stress (acculturative) Avoid People of Color Work to convince others that People of Color are not inferior Racism does not exist; not my fault Reintegration: revert to comfort and acceptance of own group and passively or actively support White superiority

Racial Identity Development Pseudoindependence: may cause stress (acculturative) Racism does exist; change Blacks-not Whites Impose White standards Struggle with what it means to White Beginning of Becoming Nonracist Immersion/emersion: explore what it means to be White Change White, not Black Let go of personal racist beliefs Work to help other Whites eliminate racist beliefs

Racial Identity Development Autonomy : positive White racial identity Interact will people from all ethnicities; complex people Aware of “all” forms of oppression Acknowledges privilege Act as allies to combat discrimination

Racial Identity Development Multiracial Identity Development Poston, 1990 Personal Identity: a child’s sense of self is independent of his or her racial group; self-esteem within the family structure Choice of Group Categorization: pressure to choose a group (race) to identify with (belong to) Enmeshment/Denial: choose one group over the other; feel guilty and/or angry

Racial Identity Development Appreciation Stage: broaden perspective; explore previously denied group (race) Integration: Embraces and acknowledges all the relevant groups (races) Root,1990, 1998 Accept identity imposed by society Identify with both (racial) groups Identify with one (racial) group Identify with a new (racial ) group; mixed

Homosexual Identity Development Cass, 1979 Identity Confusion: questions sexuality Aware of being “different” Identity Comparison: begin to consciously recognize how “different” Sex, Gender, Gender Identity Identity Tolerance: hides sexual orientation; pretends to be heterosexual anger, guilt, shame, confusion

Homosexual Identity Development Identity Acceptance: Accepts sexual orientation May not share with others; “in the closet” Identity Pride: Supports and embraces action that promote the acceptance of sexual orientation/civil rights “out of the closet” to some; usually closet friends/family Coming Out: the process by which a gay, lesbian, or bisexual individual openly expresses his/her sexual orientation

Homosexual Identity Development Identity Synthesis: Integrate homosexual identity with other identities Comfortable with self; no justification to others Support system

Racial/Cultural Identity Model Table 7.1 The Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model (R/CID) Stage 1: Conformity: deprecating/neutral to self and/or other minorities; appreciative to majority Stage 2: Dissonance and appreciating: feelings of conflict across the board Stage 3: Resistance and Immersion: self/group appreciating; empathy conflicts w/ other minorities; depreciating toward majority Stage 4: Introspection: concern across the board Stage 5: Integrative Awareness: self/group appreciating; selective majority appreciation