Self-Reported Attitudes and Beliefs of Deviant Behavior: Hypermasculinity Explains Differences of Fraternity/Sorority Communities and Fraternity and Non-Fraternity Involved Men
April Terry1, Ashley Lockwood2, and Brian Perry3ABSTRACT. Limited literature exists examining differences in self-reported deviant attitudes and beliefs based on gender norms and Greek affiliation. The current study explored such differences at a rural Midwestern university, utilizing hypermasculinity research to guide survey questions and analysis. Forty-eight statements were analyzed in five clusters to include manipulation, disregard for authority, hazing, lack of remorse, and risk-taking. The results produced consistent findings that male students endorse more negative deviant attitudes and beliefs than female students. However, findings on Greek life endorsement were mixed but generally did not support predictions or previous literature. The results are important at a time when fraternities are criticized for deviant behaviors such as hazing, sexual assault, and binge drinking as the current study found many results which contradict such views. Practical implications are discussed.
Keywords: fraternity communities; deviance; hypermasculinity; gender norms
How to cite: Terry, A., Lockwood, A., and Perry, B. (2023). “Self-Reported Attitudes and Beliefs of Deviant Behavior: Hypermasculinity Explains Differences of Fraternity/Sorority Communities and Fraternity and Non-Fraternity Involved Men,” Journal of Research in Gender Studies 13(1): 27–45. doi: 10.22381/JRGS13120232.
Received 24 August 2021 • Received in revised form 2 May 2023
Accepted 18 May 2023 • Available online 30 May 2023