According to Helms' model of white racial identity development, which stage begins with the individual's internalization of the majority culture's view of people of color and the advantages of white privilege?

• A. Contact Status
• B. Disintegration Status
• C. Reintegration Status
• D. Pseudoindependent Status

Answer: (A)

This question hinges on understanding how Helms describes the progression of white racial identity. In the Reintegration stage, the individual starts to internalize the majority culture’s view of people of color and accepts the advantages of white privilege as natural. It’s a defensive response that reaffirms whiteness and often blames people of color to restore a sense of security after confronting racial issues. This marks a shift from naïve acceptance to a more explicit endorsement of white dominance.

This differs from the earlier Contact stage, where awareness of racism is minimal and whiteness is treated as the norm rather than a consciously defended position. It also differs from the Disintegration stage, which is characterized by crisis and confusion rather than a firm internalization of the majority view. Later stages like Pseudo-independence and Autonomy involve moving toward critical examination of racism and developing a more anti-racist or integrated identity.