The Privileged Identity Exploration (PIE) Model REVISITED Sherry K. Watt, Cindy Ann Kilgo, Kira Pasquesi, and John A. Mueller ACPA – Tampa, FL – March 6, 2015

Program outline Opening reflection Privileged Identity Exploration (PIE) model Key concepts and methodology Theory revisions/updates Defensive reactions Theory application Utility of model Strategies for addressing defenses Future research Sherry

Reflection “a shudder that unhinges us from our moorings or yanks us from our anchors” (West, 1999) “…they now experience a kind of ontological dizziness, a sense of remoteness from reality, as though nothing were sure or real anymore” (Killinger, 1966). Identify a time when you experienced a sense of intellectual vertigo in exploring a privileged identity. How did you cope with the dizziness? What reactions arose in you, if any? Kira

Privileged Identity Exploration Describes a set of primal responses--or defense mechanisms as defined by psychodynamic theory--in which an individual with identity-based privilege may engage to protect the ego when that privilege is brought into awareness and threatens one’s sense of self (Watt, 2007). Developed from a grounded theory research study

Research Methodology Research question: In what ways do students express resistance in reaction to difficult classroom dialogues about racism, sexism, homophobia, and ableism? From 2001-2006, collected 225 personal narratives and reaction papers from a master’s level multiculturalism course Preliminary investigation included 9 participants and their 27 reaction papers Analysis employed Consensual Qualitative Research methods John

Overview of PIE model Eight defense modes associated with behaviors individuals display when engaged in difficult dialogues about social justice issues and/or social circumstances and encounters that bring one’s privilege into awareness Privileged identity refers to an identity that is historically linked to social or political advantages in this society Presence of fear/anxiety (afraid to go deeper) and entitlement (should not have to go deeper) John

Key assumptions Exploration of privileged identity (e.g., White, heterosexual, male) is an ongoing socialization process and there is no ultimate level of consciousness To truly explore privileged identities, people need to engage in self- awakening difficult dialogues about social oppression Defense modes are innate and normal human reactions when introduced to dissonance provoking stimuli There is an intersection of privileged and marginalized identities within each person John

Updates and revisions Location of Self Defenses serve as a protection while individuals work to locate the self in relation to a dissonance provoking stimuli (DPS) Need to manage the disequilibrium, reduce anxiety, and resolve inner conflict Dissonance animated by fear (afraid to go deeper) or entitlement (do not have to go deeper) Sherry-The model distinguishes various types of reactions that become increasingly more complex as thought and emotion move from the preconscious to the conscious in response to a DPS.

Updates and revisions Process of Unconscious, Preconscious, Conscious Awareness Reorganizes the defenses by noting how they become increasingly more complex as thought and emotion move from the preconscious to the conscious in response to a DPS. Situating of Thought and Emotion (i.e. denial having little thought nor emotion versus benevolence infusion of both thought and emotion) Sherry-The model distinguishes various types of reactions that become increasingly more complex as thought and emotion move from the preconscious to the conscious in response to a DPS.

Updates and revisions Home Base A’ home base’ defense is the one people retreat first and likely in response to any DPS regardless of the situation. Worldview (including privileged and marginalized identities) Linear progression of a non-linear concept Sherry-The model distinguishes various types of reactions that become increasingly more complex as thought and emotion move from the preconscious to the conscious in response to a DPS.

S.Watt, Associate Professor, University of Iowa The Privileged Identity Exploration (PIE) Model Dissonance Provoking Stimuli New Awareness of Self or Other Social Justice Action based on New Awareness Rationalization Minimization Intellectualization False Envy Benevolence Deflection Denial Principium Entitlement Fear Sherry S. Watt, Associate Professor, University of Iowa Recognizing Privileged Identity Addressing Privileged Identity Contemplating Privileged Identity

Recognizing Movement of dissonance provoking stimuli from the unconscious to the preconscious Actively deny or displace new information away from their sense of self Not aware of emotion or thought-processes

Denial Denial is a defensive reaction that denies the existence of a dissonance provoking stimuli (DPS). “That privilege does not exist.” “That privilege doesn’t relate to me.” John Recognizing

Deflection Deflection is a defensive reaction that shifts the focus of the DPS toward another source. “It’s not about that privilege, it’s about this…” “It’s not my fault.” John Recognizing

Contemplating Movement toward a preconscious understanding of dissonance provoking stimuli Awaken emotions and thought-processes, but thought guides the reactions

Minimization Minimization is a defensive reaction that lessens the issues surrounding the DPS. “It’s not that big a deal.” “It might be a problem for some people, but it’s not that important to me.” Cindy Ann Contemplating

Rationalization Rationalization is a defensive reaction that generates alternative explanations for the DPS. “Here’s the logical reason why this privilege exists.” “Here’s the logical reason I operated from that position.” Cindy Ann Contemplating

Intellectualization Intellectualization is a defensive reaction that attempts to explain the DPS as a data point or with academic theories. “Here are outside sources that explain that privilege.” Kira Contemplating

Addressing Movement from the preconscious to the conscious in understanding dissonance provoking stimuli Emotions and intellect merge together as individuals dissect their beliefs and values More complex or sophisticated in terms of emotion and cognitive processing

False Envy False Envy is a defensive reaction that compliments or expresses affection toward a person or a feature of a person that represents the DPS. “I have this privilege, but look at all you have/get in spite of not having this privilege.” Kira Addressing

Principium Principium is a defensive reaction that reports a principle to defend against the DPS. “Even though there’s privilege, everyone has the right to their own values.” “I may have this privilege, but these are my values.” Sherry Addressing

Benevolence Benevolence is a defensive reaction that uses an act of charity to situate the self in relation to the DPS. “I have this privilege, but look at all I’ve done.” “This privilege exists, but there are so many people doing good.” Sherry Addressing

Dyad discussions Share with a partner a time when you displayed a defense or observed it in others. Describe the circumstances of the defensive reaction. What indicated to you that it was a defensive reaction? (e.g. behaviors or statements) What was body language like in the space? How did it make you feel as someone observing or displaying the defense? Cindy Ann

Utility of the PIE model Normalize privileged identity defenses Name identifiable reactions Facilitate personal understanding of a ‘home base’ defense or a defense pattern Identify and manage defenses in difficult dialogues Sherry

Current and future research Development of an instrument to measure privileged identity defenses Exploring Privilege: Student Graduate Student Reactions to Difficult Dialogues on Racism, Heterosexism, and Ableism (Watt, Harmon, Mindrup, Goodman, Linley, Stinson, Bagheri, Venzon, Arbisi-Kelm, & Parker) John

Thank you Sherry K. Watt, Associate Professor, University of Iowa Sherry-watt@uiowa.edu John A. Mueller, Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania jmueller@iup.edu  Kira Pasquesi, Doctoral Candidate, University of Iowa Kira-pasquesi@uiowa.edu Cindy Ann Kilgo, Doctoral Student, University of Iowa Cindy-kilgo@uiowa.edu

References Watt, S. K. (in press). Designing transformative multicultural initiatives: Theoretical foundations, practical applications and facilitator considerations. Stylus Publishing: Sterling, VA. Watt, S. K. (2007). Developing cultural competence: Facilitating privileged identity exploration in student affairs practice. College Student Affairs Journal, 26(2), 114-126. Watt, S. K., Curtiss, G., Drummond, J., Kellogg, A., Lozano, A., Tagliapietra, N. G., & Rosas, M. (2009). Privileged identity exploration: Examining white female counselor trainee's reactions to difficult dialogue in the classroom. Counselor Education & Supervision, 49, 86-105.