Evaluating stereotypes of university Greek life
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The Honors project is potentially the most valuable component of an Honors education. Typically Honors students choose to do their projects in their area of study, but some will pick a topic of interest unrelated to their major.
The Honors Program requires that the project be presented at a poster presentation event. Poster presentations are held each semester. Most students present during their senior year, but may do so earlier if their honors project has been completed.
This site presents project descriptions and selected posters for Honors projects completed since the Fall 2015 semester.
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Abstract
Group identity is often an integral part of an individual’s self-identity, whether or not the individual already possessed shared characteristics of the group or adapted to fit the group identity. Finding a group you identify with is often a primary concern, especially with collegiate students. However, when a student joins a group, he/she is also faced with combating the stereotypes of their new organization, no matter the accuracy of the stereotype. This study evaluated the perceived accuracy of a range of stereotypical characteristics surrounding social Greek letter organizations by both Greek-affiliated students and non-Greek students. Attitudes toward social Greek letter organizations before and during college were also assessed showing a majority of negative perceptions prior to college, even for students who eventually became a member of the Greek community. By understanding the stereotypes of and attitudes toward Greek organizations, collegiate Greek communities can better assess what action to take in order to showcase the varied benefits of Greek life and to combat negative events that may occur within the Greek community.