A broad range of behaviors can meet the definition of hazing. While power dynamics are present in all forms of hazing, in some cases the abuse of power and its potentially harmful effects may be less recognizable. These types of behaviors can be found under the intimidation category. However, the perceived harm grows as you move from behaviors that fall under the categories of harassment and violence. Conversely, behaviors that fall under intimidation are the hazing behaviors that are most likely to occur, while there is a lower occurrence of hazing behaviors that fall under the violence category. All hazing behaviors are potentially mentally, emotionally, and physically harmful. If we can increase recognition of the types of hazing that happen with the highest frequency – those which tend to be minimized as a normal part of some group culture – we can increase opportunities for intervention and prevention of hazing.
For more information about the Spectrum of Hazing, check out StopHazing.
