Communication Between Cultures

Ethnic identity search, the second stage, begins when individuals become interested in

learning about and understanding their own ethnicity. Movement from stage 1 to

stage 2 can be stimulated by a variety of events. An incident of discrimination might

move minority members to reflect on their own ethnicity. This could lead to a realiza-

tion that some beliefs and values of the majority culture can be detrimental to minority

members^52 and provoke movement toward one’s own ethnicity. As an example,

Dolores Tanno grew up in northern New Mexico and had always considered herself

Spanish. After leaving New Mexico, she discovered that some people saw her as Mexi-

can rather than Spanish, and this motivated her ethnic identity search.^53 Increased

interest in ethnic identity could also come from attending a cultural event, taking a

culture class, or some other event that expands greater awareness of and interest in

one’s cultural heritage.Ethnic Identity achievement,Phinney’s final stage of identity

development, is reached when individuals have a clear and confident understanding of

their own cultural identity. For minority members, this usually comes with an ability to

effectively deal with discrimination and negative stereotypes.^54 Identity achievement

can also provide greater self-confidence and enhance feelings of personal worth.

Drawing on social science research, Martin and Nakayama offer multistage identity

development models for minority, majority, and biracial individuals respectively. In the

minority development model, the initial stage,unexamined identity, is similar to Phinney’s

model, in which individuals are unconcerned about identity issues. During stage 2,con-

formity, minority members endeavor to fit in with the dominant culture and may even

develop negative self-images.Resistance and separatism, stage 3, is usually the result of

some cultural awakening that motivates increased interest in and adherence to one’s

own culture. Concurrently, rejection of all or selected aspects of the dominant culture

may occur. In the final stage,integration, individuals gain a sense of pride in and identify

with their own cultural group and demonstrate an acceptance of other groups.^55

Multistage Identity Development Models

Majority identity developmentfollows a five-step model with identity in the initial stage,

unexaminedidentity, being of little concern.Acceptance, the second stage, is character-

ized by acquiescence to existing social inequities, even though such acceptance may

occur at a subconscious level. At the next stage,resistance, members of the dominant

culture become more aware of existing social inequities, begin to question their own

Phinney’s Three-Stage Identity Development

Unexamined ethnic

identity

Ethnic identity

search

Ethnic identity

achievement

Minority Identity Development:

Multistage Identity Development Models

Unexamined identity Conformity Resistance and separation Integration

Majority Identity Development:

Unexamined identity Acceptance Resistance Redefinition Reintegration

Biracial Identity Development:

General difference awareness Personal difference awareness Awareness/acceptance of duality

Other Identities 257

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