COMPARISON OF THE WORK OF THORSTEN SELLIN AND ISAAC EHRLICH ON THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

• NCJ Number: 32939
• Journal: Yale Law Journal Volume: 85 Issue: 2 Dated: (DECEMBER 1975) Pages: 170-186
• Author(s): D C BALDUS; J W L COLE
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 17 pages
• Corporate Author: Yale University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

COMPARISON OF THE SELLIN AND EHRLICH STUDIES TO ASSESS THE RELIABILITY OF THEIR STATISTICAL EVIDENCE AS A BASIS FOR MAKING INFERENCES ABOUT THE DETERRENT EFFECT OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Abstract

THREE ASPECTS OF THEIR RESEARCH DESIGN ARE CONSIDERED THE CHOICE OF ACTUAL USE OR LEGAL STATUS AS A MEASURE TO REPRESENT CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, THE CHOICE OF THE NATION OR THE STATE AS A UNIT OF OBSERVATION, AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL FOR FACTORS OTHER THAN THE DEATH PENALTY WHICH MAY AFFECT THE HOMICIDE RATE. THE REPLICATION OR CORROBORATION OF EITHER THE SELLIN OR EHRLICH RESULTS BY CONDUCTING STUDIES USING THE SAME OR SIMILAR METHODS IS ALSO DISCUSSED. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT THE SELLIN RESULTS ARE THE MORE CREDIBLE OF THE TWO.