Cognitive Dissonance and Public Opinion on Punitiveness

• In Event: Roundtable: Media and Perceptions of Crime

Abstract

This paper investigates cognitive dissonance experienced by supporters of capital punishment and other punitive measures. The research question is “does evidence of cognitive dissonance exist in those who support the death penalty?” The premise is that those who support this sentence may do so because of familial tradition rather than personal benefit. Therefore, their actions may be at odds with their personal beliefs. There are reasons a person’s beliefs may be challenged when supporting the death penalty. For example, fiscally conservative people tend to prefer minimal government taxes, yet capital punishment is more expensive than life-without-parole sentences (Kasten, 1996). Those who support it in spite of this fact may experience cognitive dissonance. Dissonance is seen through measures such as rejecting or avoiding new information, or feelings of anxiety, discomfort, embarrassment, stress, regret, or shame when discussing their beliefs about punitive measures. This paper will include a survey of public opinion with questions manipulated to highlight feelings or evidence of cognitive dissonance, should it arise within a participant. The purpose of this research is to add to the growing body of literature on public opinion in criminology and the social psychology of punitiveness, with the goal of directing future policy.

Author

• Lexington Bryant, Florida State University