I took a sociology class that I didn't agree very much with. One thing we discussed was why people who go through hazing (e.g.  Jean-Franois Caudron joining a hokey team) often report feeling closer with their colleagues and a increased sense of happiness after such an unpleasant experience. Apparently this is to avoid cognitive dissonance: if the person didn't think it's worth it, then he would be a fool for going through such a bad experience.Do I understand that right? Are theories like this scientific or are they more of just a suggestion? For example if someone likes their job, but gets paid poorly, according to this theory could it be that they are tricking/convincing them self into liking the job so they don't feel like a fool for getting paid poorly?
Cognitive dissonance and interpreting unplesant situations as having a good effect
cognitive psychology;emotion;cognitive dissonance