ABSTRACT
Although race is a salient dimension by which all people in the United States are categorized, there has been limited discussion of the developmental processes that occur across the life span for White Americans regarding their racial identity formation. Nevertheless, there is a growing body of literature on models of White racial identity (e.g., Hardiman, 1982; Helms, 1984, 1990; Ponterotto, 1988; Rowe, Bennett, & Atkinson, 1994; Sabnani, Ponterotto, & Borodovsky, 1991; Sue & Sue, 1990). White racial identity consciousness, as discussed in this chapter, refers to awareness of one’s own racial group membership, underlying race-related cultural values, and an understanding of the sociopolitical implications resulting from membership in a particular racial group. Racial identity refers to a sense of group or collective identity based on one’s perception that he or she shares a common racial heritage with a particular racial group. Membership in this country’s dominant racial group (White) neither exempts White people from developing a racial identity nor makes exploration of White racial consciousness a moot issue. Erikson (1968) pointed out that a person’s individual identity is linked to a communal or group identity and highlighted the necessity of examining the concepts of racial identity and racial consciousness. Thus, because the United States is a race-conscious society, it is likely that race is a significant part of the total identity development process for White Americans throughout the life span. This chapter provides an overview of White racial identity theoretical frameworks, integrates racial identity with other psychological models of development, and provides examples of how racial identity is applicable as a dynamic developmental phenomenon.
