An Examination of Cohesion Among Student Groups on College Campuses: Assessing the Validity of the Claim that Hazing Fosters Group Cohesiveness at Princeton University

Abstract

Across the country, dangerous hazing tactics are carried out in unsafe and cruel ways that often lead to negative physical, criminal and psychological consequences that may never be reversed. Despite this risk, groups and teams continue to haze new members in an attempt to promote unity and cohesion among the group. The current study was conducted in order to assess the validity of the claim that hazing fosters cohesion among groups through two experiments. This paper examines the prevalence rates and beliefs associated with hazing via an online survey in Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, Princeton University students were used to simulate a hazing scenario involving singing in front of a group to determine if undergoing or observing an embarrassing, uncomfortable hazing task can creates unifying feelings among the group. The findings of this study conclude that an appropriate, but embarrassing hazing or initiation task does in fact foster overall cohesion among groups.