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That's Just What You Do

Applying the Techniques of Neutralization to College Hazing

Bibliographic Data

ID2153403
AuthorsKellie Alexander (0000-0002-5534-5503, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, corresponding author), Tara Opsal (0000-0002-7607-6402, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA)
Year2021
Volume42
Issue10
Pages1295-1312
Publication date2021-10-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDeviant Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9625 • E-ISSN: 1521-0456
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/01639625.2020.1738649
OpenAlexW3009353977
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited50

Hazing is a prevalent behavior on college campuses that is harmful and can be dangerous, yet remains understudied in sociological literature. While research demonstrates that a majority of undergraduate students who are members of clubs, teams, and organizations experience hazing during college, over half of these students do not consider themselves to have been hazed, indicating a gap between how students experience and understand hazing. To understand this disjuncture, we conducted qualitative interviews with undergraduate students who belong to college organizations where research demonstrates hazing may occur: fraternities, sororities, club sports teams, ROTC, and marching band. Our research findings indicate that participants draw on "techniques of neutralization" to excuse or justify hazing which helps create a university "hazing culture" whereby these behaviors become normalized and pervasive, making university programmatic interventions particularly challenging. Based on our findings, we make recommendations for universities and policymakers who are increasingly integrating anti-hazing programming and policies to address the culture of hazing on U.S. college campuses

Club · Criminology · Excuse · Medical education · Pedagogy · Political science · Psychological intervention · Public relations · Qualitative research · Social science · Sociology · Art Therapy and Mental Health · Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works9
Citations per year1,5
Citation span2020 - 2025 (6)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 9
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