Developing conceptions of racism among young white adults in the context of cultural diversity coursework |
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Authors: | Thomas R Bidell Elaine Meyer Lee Nicole Bouchie Colleen Ward Dana Brass |
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Institution: | (1) Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts;(2) Boston College, Campion Hall, 239D, 02167 Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts |
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Abstract: | Despite substantial research on racial attitudes and racial identity development among young white adults, little is known about the development of their conceptions about racism. The present study assessed a five-step, empirically based contextualist model of the development of conceptions about racism in young white adults, adapted from the research of Perry (1970), Kitchener and Fischer (1990), and others. A total of 55 young white adults participating in cultural diversity coursework responded to questionnaires about the nature and causes of racism and responses were classified according to the five-step model. Results indicated that many first-year white college students think about racism in dualistic terms, comparable to those described by Perry (1970) in some first-year students' epistemological concepts. Over a semester, many students showed transitions to higher steps, conceptually integrating more dimensions of the problem. Such developmental transitions may be highly context-specific. Implications for educational interventions are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Racism adult development cultural diversity social context cognitive development |
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