RETRIBUTION AND CAPITAL-PUNISHMENT - TOWARD A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF DEATH-PENALTY OPINION

Although retribution appears to be the primary basis of support for the death penalty in the United States, the concept of retribution is ambiguous; thus, it is unclear what people mean when they express support for capital punishment for retributive reasons. This study attempted to discern the meaning of retribution as it relates to death penalty opinion. Two types of retribution were revealed: "vindictive revenge' and "revenge-utilitarianism. " Subjects clearly subscribed to the vindictive revenge conception, one characterized by a strong emotional or visceral component.