Activity 1.1
Knowledge and Attitudes

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution newspaper reported some research about the death penalty in March 2002.* Researchers from the Emory University School of Law, based on an analysis of every county in the United States from 1977 to 1996, concluded that executions were a deterrent to the crime of murder. Their conservative estimate was that every execution deterred an average of eighteen murders.

Find five people you know who oppose the death penalty, and tell them about these research findings. Ask them how and why this information affects their opposition, and write down a description of their reactions. Do they hold fast to the attitude, regardless of this information? If so, why? If not, why not?

* Paul H. Rubin, "Study: Death Penalty Deters Scores of Killings," Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 14, 2002, Home Ed., 22A.