IS THE RELIGIOSITY-DELINQUENCY RELATIONSHIP SPURIOUS - A TEST OF AROUSAL AND SOCIAL-CONTROL THEORIES

Criminologists have long observed an inverse relationship between pers onal religiosity and self-reported delinquency. However, some scholars would argue that the observed relationship is spurious. Two claims of spuriousness dominate. First, arousal theory argues that individuals vary in their demand for arousal. Those requiring high levels of stimu lation are said to be bored with church but aroused by delinquency. Li kewise, those who require less stimulation will find comfort in church and exhibit little delinquency. Second it is charged that the negativ e effect of religiosity on delinquency is simply the by-product of gen eral social control. Should other more proximate measures of social co ntrol be included, the impact of religiosity would wash out. The autho rs examine these two claims using self-report data from a sample of ap proximately 1,600 high school students in Oklahoma, OLS and LISREL ana lyses produce findings which reveal strong support for both claims of spuriousness. When controlling for both arousal theory and social cont rol indicators, the effect of religiosity is reduced to insignificance in the case of assault, theft, vandalism, illicit drug use, and truan cy, although it remains significant regarding the use of legalized sub stances (i.e., tobacco and alcohol). In addition to supporting claims of spuriousness in the religion-delinquency relationship, the authors' work demonstrates: (a) the primacy of self- and social controls, and (b) the utility of an arousal/thrill-seeking perspective in understand ing causes and motivations for juvenile delinquency.