Hazing—From an Existential Perspective
Hazing rituals are actually a great application of existential psychology. Since meaningful connection comes from shared meaning—and yes, any meaning can work, even embarrassment, pain, or humiliation—applying such meaning can lead to increased social bonding.
’Cause think about it: Have you ever wondered how you actually go from strangers to friends? How does that transition even take place? Why is it that the first time you meet someone, they seem so foreign, but after a while — give it some time — they sneakily turn into family? As though you’ve known them your whole life?
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There are many explanations. But from an existential perspective, you’ve probably endured hardship with them. Aligned yourselves together with some shared narrative that was difficult and required you to conquer chaos. Something that was urgent, scary, and maybe even borderline illegal. That’s what seems to produce bonding. Shared meaning. Shared struggle.
So the whole hazing thing? Sure, it seems incredibly stupid, but it didn’t stick around for no reason. It takes a very ancient piece of psychological technology (shared meaning to produce friendship), and it weaponizes that technology artificially, kicking it up a notch, which eventually manifests itself in ways such as, standing shirtless together while waiting for a cop to pull up and ask you just what the hell you’re doing, exactly.
