Secularization or Socialization? A Study of Student Religiosity at an Elite University

Abstract

In this study, the author analyzed panel data on elite university students to test prominent explanations for how college attendance affects religious identities and behaviors. Results from random-effects logistic regression showed that in-college religiosity was primarily a function of pre-college religious background. While the secularization hypothesis received no support, aspects of the campus social environment were reliably linked to patterns of religiosity across the college years. Although increasing racial-ethnic diversity in recent decades has coincided with rising aggregate levels of student religiosity on campus, the presence of interracial friendships and roommates predicted significantly lower levels of religious identification and involvement.

Notes

¹ For clarity of presentation, the measures of religiosity used in this study were recoded from survey items describing identity importance in five ordered categories (from “not at all” to “extremely important”) and time allocation in hours per week. Results (available upon request) are entirely consistent in analysis using the original variable definitions.

² In analysis available upon request, a similar set of factors were significant predictors of religious club membership (cf. Bryant, 2007). About 25% of students reported religious club membership in the first year, declining to 19% in the fourth. Across specifications, variables for natural science major and extensive campus networks had significant, positive associations with religious club membership, while having a roommate of a different race, alcohol/drug prominence, and time spent partying had significant, negative effects.

³ About 7% of other Protestant students reported discrimination on campus in each wave, compared to less than 2% of other students. Yet, other Protestants also seemed to be “re-committed” by interactions with diversity: For other Protestant students only, there is a significant, positive interaction with diverse friendships or roommates and religiosity.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nathan D. Martin

a

Nathan Martin ([email protected]) is assistant professor of justice and social inquiry at Arizona State University.