Differences among Upperclassmen Living in Fraternities and Residence Halls

Abstract

Eighty-six residence hall upperclassmen and one hundred fraternity upperclassmen were compared in the areas of college ability, achievement, and attitudes; values utilizing college records, and the College Student Questionnaire. Findings revealed significant differences for the residence hall group in the areas of social conscience, satisfaction with major, and peer independence (p < .05) and for the fraternity sample in the area of extracurricular involvement (p < .01). No significant differences were found in either college ability or achievement. Analysis of other demographic data revealed significant differences in the areas of dating behavior and financial support. Findings indicate no lasting effect on overall college achievement by fraternities and cast some doubt on their selection procedures. Attraction of fraternity members who possess a strong need to belong and pressures for conformity in choice of majors by the fraternities was also in evidence.