Multivariate Analysis of Reasons for Death Penalty Support Between Male and Female College Students: Empirical Support for Gilligan's 'Ethic of Care'

• NCJ Number: 228704
• Journal: Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2009 Pages: 239-260
• Author(s): Eric G. Lambert; Alan Clarke; Kasey A. Tucker-Grail; Nancy L. Hogan
• Date Published: September 2009
• Length: 22 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined gender as a predictor for views on capital punishment.

Abstract

This study examined how men and women differed in their level of support for seven major reasons to support or oppose capital punishment. Findings show that gender is a significant predictor for views on capital punishment. Results found that men were much more likely to support the death penalty than were women. Men were generally more supportive of the retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation arguments for the death penalty. Conversely, women were more supportive of morality, unfair administration, brutalization, and innocence reasons to oppose capital punishment. Further research should be conducted as the results of this study are far from definitive. Data were collected from a survey of 611 college students attending a public 4-year Midwestern university. Tables, notes, and references