Final answer:
Compared to ethnic minorities, Whites are more likely to face challenges in identity development due to their ethnicity being less salient in their daily experience. Minority cultures often promote a sense of pride and solidarity through racial socialization, leading to a stronger sense of cultural identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Studies of ethnic identity development have found that, relative to ethnic minorities, Whites are more likely to face challenges in their identity development. This is partly because, for White individuals, especially those in a dominant ethnic group within a society, their ethnicity may not appear to influence their lives as much. In contrast, ethnic minorities may be socialized to recognize the impact of ethnicity due to experiences of discrimination and may view their ethnic identity as more salient, especially when it marks them as outsiders.
A key aspect of minority cultures is the ability to distinguish themselves from the majority, creating a sense of pride, belonging, and solidarity. For White individuals in ethnic majorities, their sense of cultural identity may not be as pronounced, and the societal privilege often associated with being part of the majority can mean fewer direct encounters with racial or ethnic discrimination, leading to less fluctuation in self-image rooted in ethnic identity.
Furthermore, ethnic minorities often engage in racial socialization, teaching them the positive aspects of their in-group, which may result in a stronger sense of cultural identity compared to ethnic majorities, whose identity formation may be less tied to ethnicity.