Racism: Majority and Minority Identity Development

Social Psychology

I. Definition

A. Racism = Discrimination + power

Discussion Question: How do people w/ racist beliefs have power?

B. Racism is the routine, institutionalized mistreatment of a person based onhis/her membership in a group on the downside of power.

II. Effects of Racism

A. Economic--keep demands for higher wages & better working conditions down.

B. Social--segregation, leading to ignorance between groups of people.

C. Political--fragmentation, which leads to the impairment of acting in unison for the better good.

D. Personal--ignorance & fear leads to limitations in personal choice & personal growth.

III. Group formation

A. Two groups form with any type of discrimination:

1. Majority – the larger group or the group with more power

2. Minority – the smaller group or the group with less power

IV. Minority Identity Development Model

A. PRE-ENCOUNTER STAGE– programmed to think of the world as non-minority or

anti-minority

– act in ways that devalue their minority development

– Ex: forceful / violent demonstration of power ( Black Power movement)

B. ENCOUNTER STAGE– gain awareness of being a minority

– begin to validate themselves in terms of minority identity.

C. IMMERSION STAGE– reject all non-minority values – fully immerse themselves in minority culture– Ex: only associate w/ other minorities and support

other minorities.

D. INTERNALIZATION STAGE– develop a secure and self-confident minority

identity – comfortable expressing preferences and interests

for experiences from non-minority cultures– Ex: Step away from exclusive minority groups and

embrace all groups

V. Majority Identity Development Model

A. PRE-EXPOSURE STAGE– Little thought to multicultural issues &

role as a majority group member in a racist and oppressive society.

– Ex: never considered the issues minority groups face or don’t consider it a problem

B. EXPOSURE STAGE– confronted with the realities of racism &

prejudice– forced to examine own role as a majority

group member– Anger and guilt arise.

• Anger due to feeling convinced society was accepting

• Guilt due to naivety and membership in racist society

C. ZEALOT-DEFENSIVE STAGE One of two reactions:

1. Become active in minority causes–Reacting to guilt–Ex: reading literature or joining groups that

promote minority causes

2. Become defensive of majority view–Attempt to connect with majority for support–Ex: “that minority group is overreacting, they

already get too much or are paid too much attention to”

   

D. INTEGRATION STAGE– overly strong feelings of the Zealot-

   Defensive Stage subside– more balanced view takes its place– deeper appreciation of one's own culture – secure, self-confident identity– appreciation of other cultures

Allophilia

Allport’s Scale

• Antilocution (hate speech)

• Avoidance

• Discrimination

• Physical Attack

• Extermination