Identity Development Models

Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model

Atkinson, Morten, & Sue Stage 1: Conformity Stage 2: Dissonance Stage 3: Resistance & Immersion Stage 4: Introspection Stage 5: Integrative Awareness

Black Racial Identity Development Model

Cross Pre-Encounter Encounter Immersion-Emersion Internalization

Black Racial Identity Development: Stage 2

Encounter: Greater awareness and interest in developing Black identity Generally prefer therapist of same race

Black Racial Identity Development: Stage 3

Immersion-Emersion: Race has high salience 2 sub-stages - Immersion /intense Black involvement(idealize Black culture, rage toward Whites, guilt/anxiety about prior lack of knowledge) - Emersion /anti-White (emotions subside, reject all aspects of White culture, internalize Black identity)

Black Racial Identity Development: Stage 4

Internalization: Race has high salience 3 Identities - pro-Black, Afrocentric, non-racist - Biculturalist (Black + 1) - Multiculturalist (Black + >1) work to eradicate racism; may exhibit healthy cultural paranoia

Black Racial Identity Development: Stage 1

Pre-Encounter: Race has low salience 2 Sub-stages - Assimilation (adoption of mainstream identity) - anti-Black (accept negative beliefs, low self-esteem) Generally prefer White therapist

Racial/cultural identity development model: Stage 1

Stage 1: Conformity - accept dominant culture, devalue own. May prefer dominant culture therapist.

Racial/cultural identity development model: Stage 2

Stage 2: Dissonance - Confusion/Conflict - why devalue mine? May see problems as related to identity issues and prefer a minority culture therapist.

Racial/cultural identity development model: Stage 3

Stage 3: Resistance & Immersion - Reject dominant culture, appreciative attitudes toward self and own culture. May see problems as related to oppression and prefer therapist from own culture.

Racial/cultural identity development model: Stage 4

Stage 4: Introspection - Uncertainty about rigidity of Stage 3, conflict between loyalty/responsibility toward own group & individual autonomy. May prefer therapist from own culture but be open to any with similar worldview.

Racial/cultural identity development model: Stage 5

Stage 5: Integrative Awareness - Self-fulfillment related to cultural identity, desire to eliminate all forms of oppression. Multicultural perspective - evaluate all before accept/reject. Prefer therapist with similar attitudes/beliefs rather than focus on race/ethnicity/culture