NCJ Number
20520
Journal
NEDERLANDS TIJDSCRIFT VOOR CRIMINOLOGIE Dated: (DECERBER 1976) Pages: 296-307
Date Published
1976
Length
12 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF LETTERS WRITTEN BY LISTENERS IN REACTION TO THREE RADIO PROGRAMS RECONSTRUCTING THREE RECENT CASES OF HOMICIDE.
Abstract
CASES WERE PRESENTED IN SENSATIONAL, SOBER, AND MODERATE FORMATS. LISTENERS WERE REQUESTED TO GIVE THEIR OPINIONS ON WHAT PENAL RESPONSE WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. TWO HUNDRED TEN PERSONS RESPONDED. RESLTS INDICATED THAT A MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS WANTED HEAVIER SENTENCES THAN THE LAW ALLOWS, (E.G. 30 PERCENT WANTED TO GIVE A DEATH SENTENCE). A SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION WAS FOUND BETWEEN EXTREME SENTENCES AND ANONYMITY OF LETTER WRITERS. NO SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE WAY OF PRESENTATION AND THE RESPONSE. A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS GAVE SPECIAL PREVENTION AND RETALIATION AS REASONS FOR PUNISHMENT, WHILE RETALIATION WAS MOST FREQUENTLY SUGGESTED BY ANONYMOUS RESPONDENTS. --IN DUTCH...ELW