Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

The stage of racial identity development involving a push against one's previous beliefs regarding racial superiority is the Disintegration stage. In this phase, individuals begin to confront the discomfort and contradictions in their previous beliefs about race. They experience a level of disorientation and confusion as they reconcile their understanding of racial issues with their lived experiences or new insights they are gaining.

The Disintegration stage is characterized by an increased awareness of the effects of racism and privilege, leading to cognitive dissonance for those who may have held onto beliefs of racial superiority. This stage is marked by feelings of guilt, shame, or anger, which often motivates individuals to question and reevaluate their former beliefs and attitudes. It acts as a critical point in one's development, pushing individuals to either acknowledge their biases and engage in a broader understanding of race or to retreat back into their previous mindset.

In contrast, the other stages reflect different aspects of racial identity evolution. The Contact stage is where individuals are largely unaware of racial dynamics, while the Immersion/Emersion stage involves immersing oneself in a racial group, often with a stronger identification with one’s racial identity and a rejection of previous beliefs. The Autonomy stage signifies a matured identity where individuals achieve a more nuanced understanding of their racial identity and