Why do groups haze

When presented with credible alternatives, many individuals agree to pursue them in place of hazing. Why do groups haze members?

Evolutionary psychology Our ancestors survived by forming groups that had strong bonds. Lack of external constraints The social order of civilizations depends on accountability and shared agreement to conform to behavioral norms. Groupthink Irving Janis described a process in highly cohesive groups in which faulty decision-making arises as a result of a convergence of dynamics, including pressure for unanimity, suppression of individual moral objections, and degradation of outsiders.

Sociopathy Some individuals within groups have personalities characterized by anti-social tendencies. Shared coping When individuals go through a highly stressful experience together e. Cycles of abuse Individuals who are hazed may be at greater risk of hazing others because of a displaced desire for revenge.

Rites of passage As adolescents and young adults pass through the developmental stage of identity formation, rites of passage may help them mark their transition to full adulthood.

Need for esteem Self-esteem is bolstered by a sense of accomplishment and acceptance by others. Need for intimacy Many members of groups that haze cite closeness as a goal of hazing. Misperceived norms In some groups, the majority of members believe that it is not important to humiliate, intimidate or physically abuse new members. Fear of reprisal Even when an individual who has been hazed wishes to not perpetuate the practices, he or she may do so out of fear of disapproval or retaliation by the group.

Why Do People Haze? Report Hazing The University will investigate all reports of hazing behavior, including those reported anonymously. University sanctions and legal liability risks Fosters mistrust between new and current members Leads to dissension among current members Poor commitment of members who resent being hazed Undermines long-term commitment by alumni May drive away desirable new members Contributes to poor facility conditions Leads to conflicts with alumni.

Even today, when organizations defend hazing, they often say that only by passing through that physical and psychological gauntlet can a recruit prove that they are committed to the "values" and "traditions" of the organization, and show that they can endure the "heavy load of responsibilities" that comes with being an active member of the group [source: Zwecker].

Hazing organizations have no trouble finding new recruits because humans in general are social creatures who seek out the companionship and approval of their peers. Hazing organizations capitalize on this basic human need by portraying themselves — at least at first — as a warm and welcoming "brotherhood," "sisterhood" or even a big "family.

Which raises the question, why would someone remain loyal to a "family" that beats and degrades them? For that, you need to understand the psychological concept of cognitive dissonance. Humans are very good at rationalizing or ignoring two realities that are in direct conflict with each other. In terms of hazing, those two realities are the friendship and love of your "brothers" versus the demoralizing experience of being hazed by those very same people.

To reconcile those conflicting narratives, most individuals that are hazed "rewrite" or recast the traumatic hazing as a valuable bonding experience. That helps explain why nine out of 10 college students who experienced one or more hazing rituals — including drinking games, yelling and name-calling, wearing demeaning clothing, being forced to exercise until they collapse — refused to recognize those experiences as hazing. It also explains why 95 percent of hazed students failed to report the hazing.

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