Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

The first stage of White Racial Identity Development, as proposed by Janet Helms, is the Contact stage. In this initial phase, individuals are often characterized by a lack of awareness of racism and an uncritical view of their own racial identity. They may hold a belief that racial differences are nonexistent or not significant. This can lead to a naive understanding of the complexities involved in racial issues.

During this stage, individuals might feel uncomfortable acknowledging race-related issues or may have limited experiences with people of other racial backgrounds. The Contact stage is essential because it sets the groundwork for personal growth and understanding as individuals begin to recognize racial dynamics in society. This stage is critical as it often leads to cognitive dissonance when confronted with experiences or information that challenge their initial worldview, eventually prompting movement toward deeper stages of racial identity development.