Lecture 2 - Ethnic Identity, Race, & Racism (ASAM 346)

identity (def)

a set of characteristics or a description that distinguishes person or thing from others

difference between identity & identification

• identity - results from internal processes as individuals encounter external influences

• identification - results from external assignment or categorization

theories of identities (def)

theory on psychological development of human beings.

• proposed a series of 8 stages, each marked by a crisis.

  • an individual becomes committed to one’s identity and gets stronger as the crisis in each stage gets resolved.

• by erik erikson

what term did erik erikson coin?

“identity crisis”

Erickson’s 5th Stage ? (2)

Adolescence: identity vs. identity confusion

• identity - adolescents must find out who they are, what they are all about, and where they are going in life.

• identity confusion

identity confusion is expressed in one of two ways

1. individuals withdraw, isolating themselves from peers & family

2. individuals lose themselves in the crowd

erikson’s 6th stage?

early adulthood: intimacy vs. isolation

• refers to the challenge of forming intimate relationships with others or becoming socially isolated.

erikson’s 7th stage? (2)

Middle Adulthood: Generativity vs Stagnation

• generativity - creating something of value that will benefit future generations

• stagnation - the feeling of having done nothing of value for future generations.

erikson’s 8th & final stage? (2)

Late Adulthood: integrity vs. despair

• well-established sense of integrity - experiencing life as a meaningful & coherent whole

  • facing the later years w/ a strong sense of meaning and low fear of death

• Absence of integrity - the older aduilt is filled with despair and fear

Theory of Identity Status (def) (4)

combinations of exploration & commitment create one of four identity statuses:

1. diffusion

2. moratorium

3. foreclosure

4. achievement

** by James Marcia

Marcia’s theory of identity status: diffusion?

low exploration, low commitment

Marcia’s theory of identity status: moratorium?

high exploration, low commitment

Marcia’s theory of identity status: foreclosure?

low exploration, high commitment

Marcia’s theory of identity status: achievement?

high exploration, high commitment

2 dimension of identity

1. exploration

2. commitment

3 STAGES OF IDENTITY?

the search for meaning of ethnicity in their lives.

1. unexamined ethnic identity

2. ethnic identity search

3. achieved ethnic identity

by Phinney

Phinney’s Stage 1?

unexamined ethnic identity

characterized by 

• identity diffusion - low exploration, low commitment

• foreclosed - low exploration, high commitment

Phinney’s Stage 2?

ethnic identity search

characterized by 

• identity moratorium - high exploration, low commitment

Phinney’s Stage 3?

achieved ethnic identity

characterized by 

• identity achievement - high exploration, high commitment

salience (def)

how relevant an individual’s race or ethnicity is to one’s overall identity at a particular point in time.

racial salience - psychological construct, triggered by? (2)

1. external catalysts

2. internal catalysts

external catalysts (def)

verbal and non-verbal behaviros that heighten the awareness of an AA’s “asianess”

internal catalysts (def)

reflect person’s action based on perceptions of the implications of physical racial salience in a given environment.

centrality (def)

how a large role one’s race or ethnicity plays in an individual’s overall identity across time and over a wide range of situations.

acculturation vs. enculturation

• enculturation - the degree to which they have retained the norms of their heritage culture.

• acculturation - the process through which individuals are assimilated into a culture that is not their native culture.

assimilation (def)

completely absorbing the culture of the dominant group

AA Identity Formation - 4 Classifications (acculturation & enculturation)

1. traditionalist (separation) -

   • hi (en), low (ac)

2. Assimilationist (assimilation) -

   • hi (ac), low (en)

3. Bicultural (integration) - 

   • hi (ac), hi (en)

4. Marginal (marginaliation)

   • low (ac), low (en)

assimilationists tend to…

have little ethnic identity and generally associate w/ people outside of their own ethnicity group

bicultural competence

the process by which individuals are able to successfully meet the demands of 2 distinct cultures.

what is the psychologically healthiest status for AA’s?

integration of biculturalism

acculturative stress

tends to be at its peak during the initial months of contact with the new culture