Parental Use of the Threat "God Will Punish": Replication and Extension

Abstract

Nunn (1964) presented data to give limited support to the thesis that in order to secure compliance from their children, powerless parents tell them will punish them if they misbehave. Youths who subscribe to this belief have higher levels of self-blame and greater feeling they should be obedient than youths who do not. Using data from Minnesota children in grades four through eight, we find little support for the hypothesis that it is powerless parents who use this technique. However, like Nunn, we find the belief that punishes youths who are bad is positively associated with selfblame and obedience. We introduce an additional variable, i.e., subscribing in general to the image of as punishing or angry. Using this variable in relation to the belief that punishes youths who are bad gives four cells, one of which is the image of as angry/punishing but rejecting the belief that punishes youths who are bad (this combination is one of a malevolent but impersonal God.). Youths subscribing to this combination have the lowest levels of self-blame and feeling of obedience to parents. Our findings agree with Nunn's linkage of parental coalition with God and the child's benevolent image of God; the malevolent view is linked with a lower level of internalization.