CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
This chapter presents the background of the study; the theoretical and conceptual frameworks; statements of the problem; the hypothesis; significance of the study; the scope and limitations of the study; and the conceptual definition of terms.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
College is a unique socialization experience. It’s the time when an individual is able to figure out who he or she is, as well as the type of friends he or she wants in his or her life. While intramurals, clubs, athletics, and dorm-life are common ways of socializing, joining Greek-life –Fraternity or Sorority– is also popular among college students. Fraternities and sororities provide many benefits to students such as leadership opportunities, participation in college activities, friendships and extended connections with other chapters around the nation. Although popular, induction into Greek organizations has become a problem because of the practice of hazing. As in many instances where new members are indoctrinated into an established organization there exists an imbalance of power. Various definitions exist to describe behaviors such as hazing and bullying but most emphasize “the continuity of harassment over time and the imbalance of power between the bullies and the victims.” (Adams, 1992; Leyman, 1990) This imbalance of power has the potential to create opportunities for abuse. Frequently this abuse manifests itself in the form of hazing. Hazing is defined as “…any activity, required implicitly or explicitly as a condition of initiation or continued membership in an organization, that may negatively impact the physical or psychological well-being of the individual or may cause damage to others, or to public or private property (Campo et. al., 2005, p. 137). According to Hoover and Milner (1998), “The attraction of hazing probably extends beyond the