Question 1

____________ constitute the greatest percentage of individuals on death row.

Accepted Answer

Whites constitute the greatest percentage of individuals on death row, although African Americans are disproportionately represented relative to their population size.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Both the number of death sentences and the number of executions have shown a general decline over the past several years, reflecting a broader shift in public opinion and legal practices regarding capital punishment.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

California has the largest number of inmates on death row in the United States, surpassing other states including Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee.

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?

Accepted Answer

Deontology focuses on the morality of actions based on rules and duties, suggesting that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of their consequences. This perspective aligns with the idea that society has a duty to punish serious crimes severely, as it emphasizes adherence to moral duties and rules.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The majority of empirical studies and scholarly research conclude that the death penalty does not have a significant deterrent effect on crime rates, suggesting that it is not more effective in deterring crime than long-term imprisonment.

Question 6

The average stay on death row is:

Accepted Answer

The average stay on death row is 10 years.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Studies and statistics have shown that murderers, once released on parole, tend to have lower recidivism rates compared to other types of offenders. This is often attributed to the nature of their crimes, the length of their sentences, and the intense scrutiny they face upon release.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The term "death belt" refers to a group of states in the Southern United States that are known for their high rates of capital punishment executions.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The "white male dominance effect" refers to studies showing that the presence of white males on juries can significantly impact the likelihood of a death sentence being handed down, indicating a racial and gender bias in jury decisions.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Reformed death row conditions typically include measures that allow prisoners some freedoms, such as spending time outside of their cells for work or recreation, as opposed to the more restrictive conditions of traditional or unreformed death row.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

The biggest current controversy involves lethal injection protocol, due to challenges in obtaining drugs, ethical concerns from pharmaceutical companies, and questions about the humanity and efficacy of the drugs used.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Correctional staff involved in the administration of the death penalty may experience psychological stress, moral dilemmas, and trauma, leading to negative consequences such as PTSD, burnout, and ethical conflicts.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Many religious groups and individuals base their views on the death penalty on their religious beliefs, which can significantly influence their stance for or against capital punishment.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Opponents of the death penalty often argue that sentencing individuals to life without the possibility of parole fulfills the societal duty of punishing and removing dangerous individuals from the public, while avoiding the moral and ethical concerns associated with capital punishment.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Utilitarians argue that the consequences of an action, such as the death penalty, determine its moral worth. They might see positive consequences in deterrence and incapacitation, not negative.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The "death belt" is a term used to describe a group of Southern states in the United States known for their high rates of capital punishment executions.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Proportionality reviews are conducted to ensure that the death penalty is applied fairly and consistently, aiming to prevent arbitrary or disproportionate sentences rather than to increase the number of individuals who receive it.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Public sentiment often leans towards harsh penalties for convicted murderers, including capital punishment or life imprisonment, reflecting a desire for strong retributive justice for such serious crimes.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, Texas has more...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Most comprehensive studies have found no conclusive evidence that the death penalty effectively deters crime more than life imprisonment.

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