Hazing Prevention
Understanding Social &
Psychological Dimension of Hazing
Joe Gervais, M.Ed.
University of Vermont
IT COULD HAPPEN.
IT DOES HAPPEN!
UVM Hockey 1999-2000
National Study of Student Hazing
2008
• 47% of students come to college having
experienced hazing behaviors.
• 55% of college students involved in clubs,
teams, and organizations experience
hazing behaviors.
• 90% of students who have experienced
hazing behavior in college do not consider
themselves to have been hazed.
The Great Divide
• Gap between what students believe is
hazing, and how hazing is defined in
policy/law.
• Alfred Reports (1999, 2000)
• National Study of Student Hazing (2008)
Mythology
• Myth—A popular belief or assumption
embodying the ideals and institutions of a
society or segment of society (i.e. athletic
teams, Greek letter organizations, student
clubs and organizations).
• What are some popular beliefs and
assumptions about hazing?
Prevalent Hazing Beliefs
• Hazing is no more than innocent pranks.
• As long as there is no malicious intent, a little
hazing is OK and can be a good thing.
• EVERYONE PARTICIPATED VOLUNTARILY,
SO IT CAN’T BE CONSIDERED HAZING.
• HAZING BRINGS US TOGETHER AS A
GROUP AND HELPS TO CREATE BONDS.
Myth is also…an unfounded or false notion.
Beliefs and assumptions about hazing, that it will
bring a group together and promote improved
functioning, are not well founded or true. Just the
opposite…
HAZING DIVIDES GROUPS,
IMPEDES FUNCTIONING!
Psycho/Social Dynamics
► Intense desire/need to belong.
Students willing and even
expect initiation.
► Cognitive dissonance.
Can’t change behavior,
so change attitude. Speaks to
conformity
Psycho/Social Dynamics
► Pluralistic Ignorance.
No one else responds =
not interpreted as problem
► Emotional displacement.
Denial of emotional
consequences. Pay it back
to next year’s class.
Hazing Defined
UVM Policy
Hazing means any act committed by a person,
whether individually or in concert with others,
against a student in connection with pledging,
being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in,
or maintaining membership in any organization …;
and that has the effect of socially or physically
isolating, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning
the student; or that can harm the mental or physical
health of a student.
Hazing Defined
UVM Policy, continued
• Hazing also includes soliciting, directing,
aiding, or otherwise participating actively or
passively in such acts.
• Hazing occurs regardless of the consent or
willingness of a person to participate in the
activity.
• Hazing may occur on or off campus.
At the University of Vermont
we believe that students
should not be demeaned or
exposed to harm when
pursuing involvement in
campus life.
--UVM Hazing Prevention Pledge
Common Sense Hazing Test
1. Is this a team or group activity that members
are encouraged or expected to attend and
where illegal activity is taking place?
2. Does the activity risk emotional or physical
harm?
3. Would you object to the activity being
photographed for the Cynic, local TV, or
posted on the internet?
Why Stop Hazing?
1. Practical—Hazing myths don’t operate
as people believe they do.
2. Moral—Do you really want to be
responsible for physical and/or emotional
harm to another student?
3. Leadership—No matter what your beliefs
about hazing, policy & law prohibit the
practice. Are the (questionable!) benefits
worth the risk?
Resources
www.uvm.edu/hazingprevention
www.stophazing.org
www.hazingstudy.org
www.hazingprevention.org
www.uvm.edu/hazingprevention
jgervais@uvm.edu
References
Allan, E.J. (2002). Hazing and the making of men.
http://www.stophazing.org/makingofmen.htm
Bandura, A. (2002). Selective moral disengagement in the
exercise of moral agency. Journal of Moral Education,
31, 2.
Janssen, J. (2003). The team captain’s leadership manual.
Milburn, M. (2002). “The Psychological Underpinnings of
Hazing.” Presented at “Hazing in Schools and Youth
Groups” conference, Chelsea, MA. June 15, 2002.