This average percentage varies as widely as 43 to 93 percent for various subgroups of the population: political leanings, ethnic background, sex and economic status being the main determinants. Death penalty sentiments are not uniform; about one-third of the pro-death penalty population might give up their position if the alternative were life without parole and if they were convinced that the death penalty is not a deterrent. In the main, it is not utilitarian considerations that determine death penalty sentiment but moralistic ones, which in turn are part of the liberal-conservative dividing lines. 1 figure, 8 tables, 7 references. (Author abstract modified)