Resistance Theory and the Transculturation Hypothesis

10more culturally traditional ethnic identity projections: estranged students andtransculturated students. As such, an important question is how do these similarlyculturally traditional individuals come to adopt different ethnic identities while in college?Estranged Students and the Process of EstrangementFrom the interviews with estranged students, a four-stage estrangement process wasidentified. This process included the stages of: initial alienation, disillusionment,emotional rejection, and disengagement (Figure 1). Generally, the four stages of theestrangement process seemed to follow in rapid succession. The social, emotional, andcultural isolation felt by estranged students quickly developed into the final act ofphysical detachment from the institution. Indeed the pace of estrangement isdramatically demonstrated in the fact that only two estranged students remained incollege for more than two semesters.Figure 1The Process of Estrangement________________________________________________________________STAGE ONEInitial AlienationFeelings of alienation;Little with which to relate________________________________________________________________STAGE TWODisillusionmentStrong perception of college as agentof assimilation; Extreme alienation________________________________________________________________10