How Do You Spell DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS?

Pronunciation: [dˈʌbə͡l kˈɒnʃəsnəs] (IPA)

Double consciousness is a term coined by the American sociologist and civil rights activist, W.E.B. Du Bois, in his 1903 book, "The Souls of Black Folk." It refers to the internal conflict and identity crisis experienced by Black Americans, who are forced to navigate between their African heritage and the cultural norms imposed on them by white society. The phonetic transcription of this term is /ˈdʌbəl ˈkɒnʃəsnɪs/, with the stress on the first syllable of both words.

DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS Meaning and Definition

1. Double consciousness is a socio-psychological concept coined by W.E.B. Du Bois in 1903 that refers to the experiences of African Americans and other marginalized groups who have a divided sense of self and consciousness due to the internal conflict arising from their dual cultural, racial, or social identities. It encompasses the state of perceiving oneself both as an individual with unique thoughts, feelings, and aspirations, and as a representative of a larger social group.

   The term reflects the struggle faced by individuals who must constantly navigate and balance the demands and expectations of their dominant culture, while simultaneously preserving their own cultural identity. This internal conflict manifests in a constant awareness of being seen through the eyes of others, thereby fostering a sense of self-consciousness and self-evaluation. Those affected by double consciousness develop an acute ability to view themselves both from within and outside their respective communities.

   The concept acknowledges the impact of social structures and how they shape one's identity, recognizing that marginalized individuals often possess multiple perspectives that result from being members of minority groups within a dominant culture. Double consciousness highlights the complex and unique experiences individuals face as they navigate the tensions between their cultural identity and societal pressures.

   Overall, double consciousness is a profound concept that underscores the ongoing struggle of marginalized individuals to reconcile their individual selves with the societal expectations placed upon them, ultimately shaping their consciousness and contributing to their understanding of self within a larger social context.

2. A condition in which one lives in two seemingly unrelated mental states, being, while in one, unaware of the other or of the acts performed in the other.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS

• souble consciousness
• xouble consciousness
• couble consciousness
• fouble consciousness
• rouble consciousness
• eouble consciousness
• diuble consciousness
• dkuble consciousness
• dluble consciousness
• dpuble consciousness
• d0uble consciousness
• d9uble consciousness
• doyble consciousness
• dohble consciousness
• dojble consciousness
• doible consciousness
• do8ble consciousness
• do7ble consciousness
• douvle consciousness
• dounle consciousness

Etymology of DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS

The term "double consciousness" was coined by American sociologist and civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois in his seminal work "The Souls of Black Folk", which was published in 1903. Du Bois used this term to describe the internal conflict and sense of self dividedness experienced by African Americans in the United States. The etymology of the word itself comes from the combination of "double", meaning two-fold or twofold, and "consciousness", referring to the state of being aware or mentally perceptive. It signifies the dual identity and consciousness that African Americans navigate in a society that often imposes white norms and perspectives. The term has since been widely used in sociology, African American studies, and related fields to describe the complex experience of marginalized communities holding multiple identities and grappling with the societal expectations and challenges that arise from this duality.

Similar spelling word for DOUBLE CONSCIOUSNESS

• Consciousness, double.