Deck 12: To Die or Not to Die: Morality, Ethics, and the Death Penalty

Question 1

____________ constitute the greatest percentage of individuals on death row.

A) African Americans
B) Whites
C) Mexicans
D) Latinos

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following trends is true regarding the number of executions and death sentences over the past several years?

A) The number of death sentences has increased but the number of executions has declined
B) The number of executions has increased but the number of death sentences has declined
C) Both the number of death sentences and executions has declined
D) Both the number of death sentences and executions has increased

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following states have the most offenders on death row?

A) Texas
B) Georgia
C) Tennessee
D) California

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Individuals who suggest it is society's duty to punish the most serious crimes with the most severe penalty are using what frame of ethical theory?

A) utilitarianism
B) peacemaking
C) deontology
D) "eye for an eye"

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding the empirical evidence of a deterrent effect from the death penalty?

A) Studies show a substantial general deterrent effect .
B) Studies show a substantial specific deterrent effect.
C) Studies show that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent.
D) The death penalty is not effective as we practice it today. However, returning to past execution practices would have a deterrent effect.

Question 6

The average stay on death row is:

A) 2 years
B) 5 years
C) 10 years
D) 20 years

Question 7

Which statement is true regarding the success of murderers on parole?

A) Murderers have a higher recidivism rate than any other type of parolees.
B) Murderers have a lower recidivism rate than any other type of parolees.
C) Murderers have approximately the same recidivism rate as other parolees.
D) The research is inconclusive as to how successful murderers are on parole.

Question 8

The death belt refers to nine states in which part of the country?

A) South
B) Northeast
C) West
D) Midwest

Question 9

The "white male dominance effect" refers to the fact that:

A) white males are disproportionately incarcerated compared to other groups
B) white males are executed more than any other group
C) the presence of white males on juries has significantly impacted the probability of a death sentence
D) none of the above

Question 10

Death row conditions that allow prisoners to spend some time outside of their cells for work or recreation represent:

A) traditional death row
B) unreformed death row
C) reformed death row
D) long-term death row

Question 11

Among states that have the death penalty as a sentencing option, the biggest current controversy involves:

A) Death qualification
B) Deterrence impact
C) Lethal injection protocol
D) Whether victim families should be able to view the execution

Question 12

Administration of the death penalty can have negative consequences on correctional staff.

Question 13

The death penalty is often argued from the point of view of one's religious affiliation.

Question 14

Opponents of the death penalty argue that life without parole fulfills a societal duty.

Question 15

Utilitarians argue that the death penalty has negative consequences such as deterrence and incapacitation.

Question 16

The "death belt" refers to nine Southern states who utilize the death penalty frequently.

Question 17

Proportionality reviews are used as an effort to increase the number of individuals who receive the death penalty.

Question 18

The public sentiment is that convicted murders should be either executed or locked up permanently.

Question 19

According to the text, Texas has more offenders on death row than any other state.

Question 20

Most studies suggest that the death penalty is an effective deterrent.

Question 21

Death row is disproportionately populated by African Americans.

Question 22

Approximately 2/3^rd of jurisdictions in the United States no longer authorize the use of capital punishment.