What does the term "conformity" denote in the Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model?

In the Racial/Cultural Identity Development Model, "conformity" refers to the preference for the dominant culture and its values over one's own cultural background. Individuals in this stage often seek acceptance and validation from the majority group, which can lead to internalizing beliefs and attitudes that prioritize the dominant culture while potentially devaluing their own cultural identity. This stage reflects a psychological adaptation to societal pressures and norms, where the individuals may favor aspects of the mainstream culture and align with counselors or figures who embody those dominant cultural characteristics.

Other options describe different stages or aspects of cultural identity development. For instance, acceptance of one’s own culture only suggests a more individualized or identity-affirming perspective, which contrasts with the conformity stage's focus on aligning with the dominant culture. Exploring ethnic identity indicates a stage of inquiry and development that moves beyond conformity, while resistance to societal norms would reflect an oppositional stance, which is also contrary to the idea of conformity.