New research from Carrie Smith, associate professor of psychology at the University of Mississippi, and Caitlin Shaw, assistant professor of psychology at Austin Peay State University in Texas, has revealed insights into American adults’ attitudes and experiences with campus hazing.
“Adults have often been left out of the conversation because they’re not the ones being hazed, but we need adults to work against hazing,” said Dr. Smith. “Adults are the administrators on campuses, the teachers, and superintendents. They’re sitting on juries that judge hazing cases. If we want to look at legislation, we’ll need people to lobby and adults in Congress to pay attention.”
Although the majority of study participants said they disapprove of hazing, some groups were more tolerant of the issue than others. Compared to other groups, men, political conservatives, and adults who had experienced hazing themselves were more likely to approve of campus hazing and less likely to view hazing as harmful. Notably, participants who reported a greater hazing tolerance were also more likely to minimize sexual violence and endorse rape myths, such as blaming survivors of rape for the way they dressed or whether they had consumed alcohol.
“Sexual violence research is very prolific, but hazing is a type of violence where research seems to be lacking,” said Dr. Shaw. “This study shows that there is a connection, a correlation between these types of violent attitudes.”
Dr. Smith has been a member of the University of Mississippi psychology department for more than 15 years. She is also affiliated with the university’s Sarah Isom Center for Women and Gender Studies. Dr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in experimental psychology from the College of William & Mary in Virginia. She earned her doctorate in social psychology from the University of Houston in Texas.
Dr. Shaw joined the Austin Peay State University faculty in 2025. She teaches in the department of psychological sciences and counseling. Dr. Shaw earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton, her master’s degree in psychological science from California State University, San Bernardino, and her Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Mississippi.