Gendered Opinions: Examining the Influence of Gender on Regional Variation in Support for the Death Penalty

• In Event: Attitudes toward Capital Punishment

Abstract

This study is an examination of how gender influences death penalty support. Generally, females have shown significantly lower levels of support for capital punishment when compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, female offenders are less likely to receive a death sentence than male offenders. In this study, we explore whether the victim/offender gender is associated with differences in support for capital punishment, and whether that is mediated by respondent gender. Utilizing a 29 item survey to measure death penalty opinion and 14 items to assess death penalty knowledge, and with 16 murder scenario vignettes, the current study seeks a more nuanced understanding of the influence of victim and offender gender in murder vignettes. Furthermore, to advance our understanding of the of victim and offender gender influence, we consider whether the respondent was from a retentionist or abolitionist state. Results reveal the variation in support of the death penalty with regard to victim, offender, and respondent gender and race.

Authors

• Lynn Pazzani, University of West Georgia

• Kyle A. Burgason, Iowa State University

• Gavin M. Lee, University of West Georgia

• Robert M. Bohm, University of Central Florida