double consciousness is a term describing the internal conflict experienced by subordinated groups in an oppressive society. it was coined by w. e. b. du bois with reference to african american "double consciousness", including his own, and published in the autoethnographic work, "the souls of black folk". the term originally referred to the psychological challenge of "always looking at one's self through the eyes" of a racist white society, and "measuring oneself by the means of a nation that looked back in contempt". the term also referred to du bois's experiences of reconciling his african heritage with an upbringing in a european-dominated society. the term has since been applied to numerous situations of social inequality, notably women living in patriarchal societies.