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Hazing works -- but not always!
The aspect of hazing that works is similar to the way that coal becomes diamond -- pressure, constant pressure, to bind the carbon atoms (in hazing, the individual pledges) tighter together, and force the impurities out (in hazing, the impurities are those who "can't cut it", or are the undesireable qualities of members that need to be changed).
What kind of pressure is used to change raw pledges (coal) into diamonds (shining new members)? Making them believe that once you get through a certain event (alive, that is), you will better understand the organization's ideal, goals, and motivations. The pressure is unyielding and concentrated, as all members are expected to support each other, and those who are not supported usually break away from the pledge group.
The behavior of the pledge class is also under pressure when hazing. If a PNM is telling secrets to outside strangers, pressure from within the organization will induce a negative reinforcing reaction from the PNM (i.e., pain from speaking, punishment when a secret is proven, etc.). Negative reinforcement, however, can cause those members to either lash out back at the organization (quitting), or being forced into submission. Those who are forced into submission are at a high risk of reprisal later (re-using the same hazing tactics on future generations).
The members who both had behaviors desired by the organization as well as having the strong bonds with each pledge class member should not undergo hazing, as modifying their behavior would decrease their current effectiveness (i.e., why was I hazed, when they want me just the way I am now?)
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