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Over-Simplification and Error in Public Opinion Surveys on Capital Punishment

NCJ Number
104198
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 3 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1986) Pages: 429-455
Author(s)
P W Harris
Date Published
1986
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Public opinion polls have shown a marked increase in support for capital punishment.
Abstract
Results of a recent poll, which resulted from collaboration between the author and Associated Press, further clarify published findings of public opinion polls and challenge the common wisdom that support for the death penalty is increasing. It was found that only 12 percent of those polled opposed the death penalty in all cases, that 57 percent advocated its use under some circumstances, and that 27 percent supported the death penalty for all murder cases. These findings differ little from those reported by Louis Harris in 1973 (Bedau 1982). (Publisher abstract)

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