A Correlation Study between Religiosity and Empathy toward Victims of Crime

Abstract

This present study was conducted to examine the relationship between religious involvement and empathy towards victims of crime. There was a total sample size of 84 individuals that participated in an online survey. Religiosity was measured using the Belief into Action scale. Empathy towards victims of crime was observed using the Victim Impact Scale. A Pearson correlation showed no significant relationship between religious involvement and empathy towards victims. There was, however, a negative significant correlation between Accountability score and percent of income given to religious causes ( r =-.297, p =.011), victim blaming and how much time is spent in religious volunteering ( r =-.261, p =.025), knowledge of victim-related facts and how often one attends religious services ( r =-.263, p =.029), percent of income given to religious causes ( r =-.301, p =.012), and time spent in religious volunteering ( r =-.312, p =.01).