[6] Generally, group level processes of ethnic identity have been explored by social science disciplines, including sociology and anthropology.
In light of this, affirmation of ethnicity has been proposed to be more salient among groups who have faced greater discrimination, in order to maintain self-esteem.
James Marcia elaborated on Erik Erikson's model to include identity formation in a variety of life domains.
Evidence shows that increasing age and a wide range of life experiences helps individuals develop cognitive skills.
This combination of age, life experiences, and improved cognitive skills helps adolescents and young adults find their authentic selves.
Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor and colleagues[16] write about the following concepts as playing key roles during this stage: Cognitive milestones include: abstract thinking, introspection, metacognition, and further development of social-cognitive abilities.
Physiological changes include puberty and development of body image Social and environmental context includes: family, peers, social demands and transitions, navigating an expanding world, and media Ethnic and Racial Identity (ERI) components about process: Ethnic and Racial Identity (ERI) components about content: Critical race theory has explored the development of suburban "whiteness" in the United States as representing the racialized and classless fantasy of a heterogeneous white population.
The FHA said that loans to support urban homeowners would not be sound investments because of the "presence of inharmonious racial or nationality groups".
Except in the case of Negroes and Mexicans, however, these racial and national barriers disappear when the individuals of foreign nationality groups rise in the economic scale to conform to American standards of living...Jean Phinney's model of ethnic identity development is a multidimensional model, with theoretical underpinnings of both Erikson and Marcia.
[2][19] In line with Erikson's identity formation, Phinney focuses on the adolescent, acknowledging significant changes during this time period, including greater abilities in cognition to contemplate ethnic identity, as well as a broader exposure outside of their own community, a greater focus on one's social life, and an increased concern for physical appearance.
Socialization highlights how early experiences for children are considered crucial in regards to their ethnic identity development.
More recently, Phinney has focused on the continuous dimensions of one's exploration and commitment to one's ethnic group(s), rather than on distinct identity statuses.
Social Identity Theory (SIT) suggests that the effects of ethnic/racial discrimination (ERD) will be mediated in a person with high ERI centrality whereas Self-Categorization Theory (SCT) suggests that high ethnic/racial identity centrality may result in more negative outcomes when faced with ethnic/racial discrimination.
[24] Researchers posit commitment to an ethnic identity group(s) is related to additional resources accumulated through the exploration process, including social support.
[25] Numerous studies show many positive outcomes associated with strong and stable ethnic identities, including increased self-esteem, improved mental health, decreased self-destructive behaviors, and greater academic achievement.
[26] In contrast, empirical evidence suggests that ethnic identity exploration may be related to vulnerability to negative outcomes, such as depression.
[23] Findings suggest this is due to an individual's sensitivity to awareness of discrimination and conflicts of positive and negative images of ethnicity during exploration.
[23] Studies have found that in terms of family cohesion, the closer adolescents felt to their parents, the more they reported feeling connected to their ethnic group.
Another research consideration in the field is why certain ethnic and racial groups are looking towards their own expanding community for mates instead of continuing interracial marriages.
An article in The New York Times explained that Asian-American couples have been kicking the trend and finding Asian mates because it gives them resurgence of interest in language and ancestral traditions.
This method helps us collect the most accurate and relevant information about the subjective identification of the participant, and can be useful in particular with respect to research with multiethnic individuals.