Date of Award
5-2024
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Fabiana Alceste
Second Advisor
Joel Martin
Abstract
The present study delves into the relationship between sorority recruitment and self-esteem among college women, investigating the impact of participation in the recruitment process on individuals' perceptions of self-worth and their attitudes towards sorority life and recruitment. Data was gathered from 264 female-identifying participants at Butler University during the 2024 formal sorority recruitment period. A survey was administered both before and after recruitment, which assessed participants' self-esteem, desire to join a sorority, expectations of sorority life, and perceptions of recruitment's necessity and positivity. Contrary to initial expectations, participants who withdrew from recruitment did not exhibit lower positive self-esteem levels post-recruitment. Additionally, individuals who received bids demonstrated significantly increased positive self-esteem and decreased negative self-esteem following recruitment, indicating that involvement in the process may foster feelings of belongingness and acceptance within the sorority community. Furthermore, participants' perceptions of recruitment's necessity and the positive aspects of sorority life significantly improved post-recruitment, underscoring the motivational and transformative aspects of the recruitment experience. These findings challenge negative stereotypes surrounding Greek life, and may suggest there is a potential for sorority recruitment to positively impact participants' self-esteem.
Recommended Citation
Daley, Mary Katherine, "Go Greek Or Cry Trying: The Relationship Between Sorority Recruitment and Self-Esteem" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection. 738.
https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/ugtheses/738