Toward Conceptualizing Race and Racial Identity Development Within an Attractor Landscape

Sean C Hill

doi:10.1177/2158244017719310

Abstract

Concepts, theories, and findings of race and racial identity development were reviewed and conceptualized into a single model based on principles of complexity and chaos. This article proposes race can be understood as a complex adaptive system and conceptualized as an attractor landscape. In this model, trajectories represent racial identity development or progression through an attractor landscape comprised of racial categories. Although this works well as a conceptual model, the modeling of racial identity development within an attractor landscape is affected by practical constraints related to data collection and many of the same limitations of existing racial identity development theories. The proposed model also creates additional challenges because of its interdisciplinary nature.

Highlights

We expressly do not equate physical systems with psychological systems, nor do we derive psychological phenomena from physical phenomena
Notwithstanding, the author believes this conceptualization of a unified understanding of race and racial identity development is in agreement with Van Orden, Kello, and Holden’s (2010) sentiment shared in the first epigraph
Racial identification is only part of an individual’s identity and experiences, so it can be said that the proposed conceptualization is too simplistic

Summary

Introduction

We expressly do not equate physical systems with psychological systems, nor do we derive psychological phenomena from physical phenomena. The author proposes racial identity development theories can be reframed using the properties and dynamics of chaotic attractors.

Results

Conclusion