Ethnic identity begins to develop in an individual when that individual is of early adolescence. There are many models that illustrate this process, some of which are described within this paper. Many theorists have chosen to make this topic their topic of study, including Erik Erikson, James Marcia, and Jean Phinney. Each of these theorists used the models of previous theorists to construct their models, so although they all share several similarities, they are each different in their own way. The transition between elementary school to middle school can affect the way that adolescents mature mentally and cause them to think more about their identity and where they fit in the world. The development of an individual’s personal identity usually begins at this point of early adolescence. Many factors can influence the development of personal identity among minority adolescence, including ethnicity and raciality. Ethnic identity development greatly influences adolescents’ achievement, self- concept, and behavior towards any situation. An adolescent will usually begin to show their ethnic and racial attitudes by about ten years of age. A broad topic of study focuses on the attitudes of ethnic minority adolescents toward racial and/or ethnic groups other than their own, particularly relating to stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination. Many people agree with the fact that ethnic identity development is “as fundamental to the establishment of an adult’s healthy self-concept