To further understand possible motives for the emergence of initiation rituals within society, Christopher von Rueden and Mark van Vugt’s article, Leadership in small-scale societies: Some implications for theory, research, and practice, presents an “evolutionary perspective”[1] as a guide. Their article expresses the belief that humans develop when faced with “evolved decision rules – sometimes referred to as cognitive adaptations – that regulate our motivations and beliefs.”[2] These ‘evolved decision rules’ involve “behavioral changes in reproductive status, energetic status, social reputation, group structure, or inter group threats.”[3] When participating in initiation to specified elite groups, people are likely to experience these behavioral changes in order to gain acceptance. Thus, when people are put into situations where hazing occurs, they are less likely to be opposed to completing the tasks because of the fear that they will not be accepted by a particular group. This fear alone is a primary reason why hazing is an issue within society. The promotion of in-groups and out-groups creates the desire for acceptance and the willingness to go to great lengths to achieve approval.

 

[1] Rueden, Christopher Von, and Mark Van Vugt. “Leadership in small-scale societies: Some implications for theory, research, and practice.” The Leadership Quarterly 26, no. 6 (2015): 979. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2015.10.004.

[2] Rueden, Christopher Von, and Mark Van Vugt. “Leadership in small-scale societies: Some implications for theory, research, and practice.” The Leadership Quarterly 26, no. 6 (2015): 979.

[3] Rueden, Christopher Von, and Mark Van Vugt. “Leadership in small-scale societies: Some implications for theory, research, and practice.” The Leadership Quarterly 26, no. 6 (2015): 979