Identity Development of Diverse Populations

This monograph is focused on educating faculty and administrators about the developmental issues faced by students from different racial, ethnic, or other social groupings as they attempt to define themselves during the college years and the ways this information can enhance campus classrooms, programs, and policies. Although there is a growing body of work on how various racial, ethnic, gender and other social groups develop their identity, there has been limited synthesis or application of this literature to the practice of professionals in higher education. The authors have higher education administrative backgrounds, so their recommendations are grounded in experience, and each also has a solid record of scholarship in identity development. The combined scholarly and administrative experience of the three authors enhances the contribution of this book.

Foreword ixWhy Should Higher Education Be Concerned with the IdentityDevelopment of Diverse Students? 1Development of Identity 2Definitions 6Organization 8Theoretical Frameworks of Identity Development Theory:Foundational Theories 9Foundational Theories of Identity Development 9Evaluation of Foundational Theories 14Dominant Cultures, Oppression, and Other Societal IssuesAffecting the Identity Development of Diverse Populations17Cultural and Societal Issues That Impact Identity Development18Theory of Oppression 19The Social Oppression Matrix 21Social Identity Development Theory 23How Oppression Impacts Privileged Groups 25White Identity Theories 27Conclusion 31Theoretical Frameworks of Diverse Identity DevelopmentTheories: A View Through a Different Lens 33Multigroup Ethnic and Racial Identity Models 33Racial and Ethnic Identity Theories Pertaining to AfricanAmerican Students 39Racial and Ethnic Identity Theories Pertaining to NativeAmerican Students 49Acculturation to the Majority Culture 52Racial and Ethnic Identity Theories Pertaining to Latino andLatina Students 53Racial and Ethnic Identity Theories Pertaining to Asian AmericanStudents 59Multiracial Identity 64Conclusion 66Multiple Identities: Acknowledging the InterrelationshipAmong Roles 67Integrating Multiple Layers of Identity Development 69Sexual Orientation Identity Formation 73Women and Gender Identity 76Implications 78Integration of Identity Development Theory into Practice79Campus Culture 80Implications for Administrators 82Implications for Faculty Members 86Conclusions and Future Implications 99Appendix A. Case Study: Defining Academic Diversity atReflective College 101Considerations in Addressing This Issue 103References 107Index 119