The death penalty and existentialism: does one impact the other?

Graduation Date

2014

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Other

Program

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, Psychology: Counseling, 2014

Committee Chair Name

Lizabeth Eckerd

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Psychology, California, Proposition 34, Existential beliefs, Death penalty

Abstract

The death penalty is an ever evolving means of punitive action, taken against those who have perpetrated a capital offense. Currently, there are 32 states in the U.S. who use the death penalty. In addition, the Federal Government, as well as the military, use the death penalty as punishment. In November of 2012, California had the opportunity to become the next state to abolish the use of execution as punishment, with the ballot measure proposition 34. Upon completion of voting, Proposition 34 was defeated, and death remained a potential punishment for California. Support for the death penalty, or opposition to it, often has a basis in politics, religion, gender, or ethnicity. Part of religion, and even politics, includes thoughts about life, death, and the meaning contained within. This study looked at the ways in which people view life, particularly if they adhere to existential beliefs, and if this belief system is related to their view, either for or against, the death penalty. This question was researched using the Death Penalty Attitudes Scale, and the Life Attitude Profile, as well as three questions composed for the study. While political ideation did relate to death penalty support, it was found that gender, ethnicity and existential beliefs did not relate, as far as this study.

https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/p8418q685

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