The research, findings from a variety of sources combine to give a fairly clear picture of the similarities and differences among athletes and juvenile delinquents. Individuals may be predisposed to athletic or delinquent behavior if they are second-born or later-born mesomorphs with a high need for stimulation and high tolerance to pain. If the individual is a conformist, athletics may help relieve boredom and help males assert their masculinity. These individuals are likely to be exposed to norms which favor conforming behavior, and if success is experienced, they are likely to accept the system within which they live. On the other hand, if the individuals are not conformists, masculinity may be asserted and boredom relieved through delinquent behavior. These individuals may be exposed to norms which favor delinquent behavior, and if little success is experienced they may rebel against the system. The literature also indicates that athletes are likely to be of a higher social class than delinquents and are less likely to be labled as delinquents. Stimulus-seeking behavior, as opposed to the two other variables, is possibly open to modification by providing socially acceptable nondelinquent behaviors of high stimulus intensity, examples include rock climbing and ocean sailing. Ninety-seven references are provided.