Hazing Mythology &
Prevention
Joe Gervais, M.Ed.
University of Vermont
National Study of Student Hazing
2008
• 47% of students come to college having
experienced hazing.
• 55% of college students involved in clubs,
teams, and organizations experience
hazing.
• 90% of students who have experienced
hazing behavior in college do not consider
themselves to have been hazed.
National Study of Student Hazing
2008
• More students perceive positive rather
than negative outcomes of hazing.
• In 95% of the cases where students
identified their experience as hazing, they
did not report the events to campus
officials.
• In more than half of the hazing incidents, a
member of the offending group posts
pictures on a public web space.
IT COULD HAPPEN.
IT DOES HAPPEN!
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).
• 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!
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 is intended, or should reasonably be
expected, to have the effect of humiliating,
intimidating, or demeaning the student or
endangering 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.
Hazing Defined
[www.stophazing.org]
Any activity expected of someone
joining or participating in a group that
humiliates, degrades, abuses, or
endangers them regardless of a
person’s willingness to participate.
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. Is there any risk of injury or a question of
safety?
4. Would you object to the activity being
photographed for the school paper, local news,
and/or posted on the internet?
Why Does Hazing Happen?
Psychological Considerations:
► Intense desire/need to belong.
► Cognitive dissonance.
Can’t change behavior,
so change attitude.
► Emotional displacement.
Denial of emotional
consequences. Take it out
on the next class!
MORAL DISENGAGEMENT
(A. Bandura, Stanford U.)
Gradual disengagement of moral selfsanction. Behavior normally viewed as
immoral, even reprehensible, becomes
more benign, acceptable, or worthy in a
particular social setting.
Example: military training.
Ways we disengage morally:
1. Moral justification—make it socially
worthy (e.g. creating “bonds,” building
“unity”)
2. Euphemistic labeling—sanitized
language of non-responsibility
(e.g. “team building,” “initiation”)
Mechanisms of moral disengagement
4. Displacement of responsibility
“We’re just carrying on tradition!”
5. Diffusion of responsibility—groupthink
Avoidance of individual responsibility and/or
accountability.
6. Disregard/distortion of
consequences
We’re good at hiding pain, emotional or
otherwise. “It wasn’t that bad.”
Mechanisms of moral disengagement
7. Dehumanization
Masks, costumes, etc.
Dehumanizing language (rook, grunt)
Perceptions of rookies as “less-than”
8. Attribution of blame
Blame the victim! “If only he kept his mouth
shut.”
Hazing
Team Building
• Humiliates &
degrades
• Tears down
individuals
• Creates division
• Shame & secrecy
• Is a power trip
• Initiation
• Promotes respect &
dignity
• Supports & empowers
• Creates teamwork
• Pride & integrity
• Is a shared positive
experience
• Integration
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 your teammate (brother)?
3. Leadership—No matter what your beliefs
about hazing, policy & law prohibit the
practice. Are the (questionable!) benefits
worth the risk?
Resources
www.stophazing.org
www.hazingstudy.org
Alfred Study on Intercollegiate Athletics (1999)
http://www.alfred.edu/news/html/hazing_study_99.html
Alfred Study on High School Groups (2000)
http://www.alfred.edu/news/html/hazing_study.html
Joseph.Gervais@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.